Marjorie A. Beals

On the 5th of September, 2015, Marjorie “Marj” A. (Burford) Beals died at her home with Lyle, her loving husband of 21 years, at her side. Born in Indianapolis in 1943, she is preceded in death by her parents, James W. and Ruth (Payne) Burford, two brothers James A. Burford and Thomas A. Burford and sister-in- law Susan (Shingleton) Burford. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and Ball State University. She was a proud member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, serving as a Collegiate Province Officer. Professionally, she was a teacher for over 35 years. She taught in Utah and California, eventually returning to Indianapolis in 1972. She taught at historic Shortridge High School and was at Northwest High School when she retired in 1998. Initially teaching history, she later switched her focus to home economics. Marj had a wide variety of interests and talents, chief among them was her volunteer spirit and devotion to causes that she found important. To honor her father, a former police officer, she served as a past president of both Indianapolis #86 F.O.P. Auxiliary and the State F.O.P. Auxiliary. She was also a former trustee of the Grand Lodge F.O.P. Auxiliary. Marj worked tirelessly as president and secretary of the Indiana Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and received a golden shovel when the memorial was completed. She came to enjoy her husband’s passion for tractors and was the treasurer of the Hendrick’s County Antique Tractor and Machinery Association at the time of her death. She enjoyed her membership in the Bridgeport Order of the Eastern Star #513. She was an active member and was a past worthy matron. Marj is survived by her husband Lyle E. Beals and step-children Barbara Beals Duitsman (husband Travis) and Matthew Beals (wife Natasha). Her grandson Jackson Beals and twin grand-daughters Carlie and Hallie Duitsman gave her such joy, and she was looking forward to the birth of Ayden Thomas Beals (son of Matt & Natasha) Her in-laws include; Linda, Omer (Nita), Hallie (Marsha), Greg (Laurelle), David (Mary Lou) and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also greatly loved by her sister-in-law Stanley Burford; nieces, Ann Bilodeau (Marc), Chris Lundsten (John), Lynn Burford (Paul Finegan) and nephew Bill Burford (Bobbi); and her seven great nieces: Amy Bensheimer (Kurt), Amanda Morgan (Michael), and Abigail Burford; Marissa, Laura and Vanessa Lundsten; and Claire Bilodeau; and, her six great, great nieces and nephews: Kayden, Alivia, Maddox, Mason, Molly, Skylar. Marj was a woman with a big heart who loved her family and friends dearly. She liked pizza and potato chips for breakfast, history and she collected matchbooks from her many travels. She was admired for her dedication to genealogical research too. Her work for so many worthy causes has left a lasting mark and her warm smile and deep blue eyes will remain in our memories. She had a life well lived -- and she will be dearly remembered. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Friday, September 11, 2015 in the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield, where friends may call on Thursday, September 10 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Burial will be in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Indianapolis.