Mark Beatty of The Villages, Fla. (formerly from Greenville, Ill.) passed peacefully at age 73 surrounded by family on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.
Mark was born in E. St. Louis, Ill. in 1949. He grew up in Caseyville, Ill. and attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where he received a BS degree in biology and an MBA in finance. His major vocation was banking, where he last served as President of First Bank in Greenville, Ill.
Mark’s greatest passion was music. He was classically trained and later received some of his jazz training at the Red Carpet Lounge in E. St. Louis, Ill. He played in the SIUE jazz band and the Air National Guard Band at Lambert Field, starred in pop and jazz with various groups, and played for several bands in The Villages. He played piano and organ throughout his life for numerous churches. Mark was also a wonderful dance partner. He taught ballroom dance classes for a local community college.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; children Jan (Dustin) and Keith (Adrea); four grand- children; Nora, Mattea, Noelle, and Jace; his brother Frank (Bonnie); and many nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 21st at 2 pm at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church in The Villages, Fla. A second service will take place on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church in Greenville, Ill.
Memorials can be made to Lake Deaton United Methodist Church in The Villages (6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785), Greenville First United Methodist Church (310 S. Second Street, Greenville, IL 62246), or the BCCU #2 Academic Foundation—earmarking the high school musicals—(1008 N. Hena Street, Greenville, IL 62246).