Lawrence Beaty
July 21, 1937 ~ August 10, 2025
Born in:
Morrisonville, Illinois
Resided in:
Taylorville, Illinois
Lawrence “Speed” Beaty, 88, of Taylorville, IL, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois. Lawrence was born on July 21, 1937, in Morrisonville, IL, to the late Wayne and Marcella (Rhoads) Beaty. On June 21, 1969, he married Marilyn Bailey in Decatur, IL, and she survives.
Speed spent many years as a hardworking farmer, caring for the land with the same dedication he showed in all areas of his life. He worked as a Pioneer Seed salesman, where he built strong relationships and always took pride in doing his best work. Even after retiring, he was quick to help whenever someone needed a hand.
He was an active member of St. Maurice Catholic Church, Morrisonville Knights of Columbus #1151, the Morrisonville Township Board, Christian County Farm Bureau, and was the sexton of St. Maurice Cemetery.
He was an avid Cardinals fan and Illini Basketball but most of all he was his grandkid’s biggest fan. He never missed a chance to be in the stands, cheering them on no matter the sport or the season.
Speed had a special gift. He was what we lovingly called a “Geri Rigger” The kind of man who could fix or create something out of anything. He could turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Speed never met a stranger and will leave behind a legacy that’s hard to put into words. It’s the things he built, the lives he touched, and the lessons he passed on. He will be greatly missed.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn Beaty, Lawrence is survived by his children: Kimberly (Phillip) Meyer of Springfield, IL; Kristina (Bill) Ray or Taylorville, IL; grandchildren: Bradley Meyer; Kyle (Anabella) Meyer; Jett Richards; Elle Richards; Bailey Meyer; Kailynn Ray; and his siblings: Norma Jean (Ron) Cole and Dennis Dale Beaty. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Lorraine Nobbe.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville. A Funeral Mass will be held the following day, Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Maurice Catholic Church in Morrisonville. Interment will follow at St. Maurice Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hickory Estates in Taylorville, or to the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Services
Visitation: August 13, 2025 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home of Morrisonville
304 Carlin St.
Morrisonville, IL 62546
Funeral Mass: August 14, 2025 11:00 am
St. Maurice Catholic Church
706 SE 4th St.
Morrisonville, IL 62546
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Marilyn, Dale and families, so sorry for your lost. I remember Speed and Jack Rhodes vividly as a youngster when they would come to my grandparents farm to help what ever he need help with. Whether it was bailing, shoveling seed or any other job. He was a hard worker and I admired him and Jack. R.I.P.
Marilyn and family. So sorry to hear about your loss. I have a lot of fond memories working with Speed through the years as a sales rep and as a helper for me, he was always willing to do what you asked of him, and I could always count on him to get the job done. Everyone in Pioneer it has a good memory and a story to tell about Speed.
Our condolences on the passing of Speed. He was a good neighbor and friend.
And a great chicken fryer at our parties out at the farm. He will be missed!
May God’s Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him!
Kurt and Rhonda Minnis
Morrisonville