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Robert “Bob” Bradford Beals of Centreville, age 85, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026. He was born in Marshall on October 22, 1940, son of Stanley and Mamie (James) Beals. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1958, and attended Tri State College.
Bob and Janet (Albright) were married on October 7, 1962 at Congregational Church in East Gilead and shared over 63 wonderful years together. They lived in Centreville, where Bob owned and operated the Beals 5¢ – $1.00 Store from 1968-1995, the business his parents started in 1948, after which he was the shipping-receiving manager at Sutton Tool in Sturgis from 1996-2003. Bob enjoyed maintaining their house and yard, the same house he and Janet had together for most of their lives, though they also spent the winter seasons in Frostproof, Florida, where they had many friends and another community to enjoy.
Community was always important to Bob throughout his life, whether it was visiting with people in his store or having a chat while out for coffee; he knew somebody everywhere he went. Bob was involved in many organizations and clubs for most of his life, including being a past Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Centreville; a Trustee on the Elder/Pastor Nominating Committee at First Presbyterian Church Three Rivers/Centreville; a life member of the Mt. Hermon Lodge #24 F&AM; an honorary member of Masonic Lodges in Sturgis, Colon, and Mendon, and Frostproof, FL; a life member of Centreville Chapter #11 Royal Arch Masons; a life member of the Corinthian Chapter #123 Order of Eastern Star; a member of the Nebularadan Council #6 Royal & Select Masters; a past President of Centreville Lions Club; a member of the Covered Bridge Festival Committee for over 20 years; and a part of Centreville Men’s Monday Night Golf League. Bob was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with his son Ron and grandchildren, as well as playing euchre with friends and during family get-togethers. He was a fan of classic country music, as well as watching the Detroit Tigers, and U of M football and basketball teams.
Robert is survived by his wife, Janet; two children, Julie Wirtz and Ronald (Stacy) Beals; eight grandchildren, Adam Stutsman, Darin (Katie) Beals, Nicholas Stutsman, Brandon (Bridgit) Beals, Joshua (Abby) Stutsman, Cameron Beals, Dallas (Karla) Wirtz, and Janeka (Caelan) Frahn; and six great-grandchildren, Brooks, Benjamin, Marina, Janyleigh, Ivanna, and Ethan; and cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Mamie Beals, and his two brothers, Don Beals and Larry Beals.
Bob’s family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Eley Funeral Home – Centreville Chapel, 235 W. Burr Oak St., Centreville, MI 49032 with a Masonic prayer service being held at 7:00 pm.
Memorial services for Bob will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at the Three Rivers First Presbyterian Church, 320 N. Main St., Three Rivers, MI, 49093.
A private family interment will be held at the Prairie River Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Centreville Lions Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 441, Centreville, MI 49032 or Three Rivers First Presbyterian Church, 320 N. Main St., Three Rivers, MI, 49093.
Bob’s family welcomes messages and memories in their online guestbook at www. eleyfuneralhomes.com.
I used to go to Beal’s when I was a little girl in the 60’s. l remember a man with black hair and glasses that looks like the man in this picture that has just passed. Oh my goodness what you could buy for 25 cents. (or what he charged us little kids) He was always kind to me, maybe that is the reason I remember him. I always got candied cherries, chocolate stars, or the chocolate ice cubes. When allowance raised to $1.00, he was so patient since it was so hard to decide what to buy with that much money. Ha, Ha.
We would get our candy and sit out front of the store on the steps with John Neihart and listen to him sing or talk through a large tube. Innocent times I wish still existed.
Anyways, love to this family and known that he was a kind man and remembered dearly.