Joseph Wallace Beeler

Joseph Wallace Beeler of Barling, Arkansas, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Ashton Place Health and Rehabilitation in Barling. He was born on May 11, 1924, in Grant County, Minnesota, to the late George Wallace Beeler and Mabel Oline (Olson) Beeler. He was 102 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 79 years, Lillie Mae (Gross) Beeler; a grandson, Daniel Lund; his daughter-in-law, Cheri Beeler; and two brothers, Donald Beeler and Lawrence Beeler.

On June 3, 1946, Joe married Lillie Mae Gross in Benton, Arkansas. He entered the U.S. Army during WWII on February 25, 1945. After training, step by step, promoted to Grade T/4 and was Mess Sergeant in mess halls at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and Fort Bliss, Texas. Joe was discharged on November 3, 1946, with an honorable discharged in Fort Sheridan, Illinois On January 16, 1947, Joe was hired as a locomotive fireman by The Great Northern Railway Company, and on November 26, 1954, he was promoted to locomotive engineer and was employed in this position by the railroad company until his retirement on December 31, 1994. After retiring, Joe and his wife Lillie moved from Fargo, North Dakota, to Booneville, Arkansas, and later from Booneville to their present home in Barling. Joe was a member of American Legion Post #31 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

He is survived by two daughters, Marie Reeves and husband Patrick and Jean Streich and husband Stanley; a son, James Beeler; seven grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

His body was cremated and burial of cremains will be placed next to his wife at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR  72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.