December 2019 – Bandstand Flag Notice
Joe William Beal Sr.
Joe William Beal Sr.
January 19, 1935 – February 6, 2017
United States Air Force.
The flag flying over the bandstand during December is in honor of Joe William Beal Sr.
Joe enlisted in the Air Force, February 29, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. He served as a tail gunner on a B-29 Bomber during the Korean War. On one of his flights, his plane was engaged by the enemy and six of the eleven crew members were killed; Joe was injured by shrapnel in his back during this fight.
Following his discharge, February 24, 1957, he worked for a brief time at Pella Rolscreen, before taking a job as a fireman with the Oskaloosa Fire Department. Joe remained there until 1965 when he was hired as a Deputy State Fire Marshall and later transferred to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (presently known as the Department of Criminal Investigation). November 14, 1979, he was installed as Mahaska County Sheriff, a position he held until his retirement, January 20, 1993. He was a member of the DAV Post #21, VFW Post #2237, American Legion Post #34, the Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge #644, National Sheriff’s Association, Iowa State Sheriff and Deputies Association, and the Air Force Gunners Association. Following his retirement, Joe served as a VA shuttle driver, transporting patients to appointments.
Contact Shawn Langkamp at Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory at 641-672-2181 or www.langkampfuneralchapel.com on the Contact-Us-Link if you are interested in honoring a deceased veteran with the flag above the bandstand.
