Isaac Samuel Beal, 91, a cherished soul and pillar of the Forest Park community, died peacefully at home in Forest Park on March 8, 2026. Born on Nov. 4, 1934, in Hermanville, Mississippi, he lived a life defined by service, faith, and dedication to family and community.
A graduate of Dunbar High School, he earned his Aircraft and Engineering license and became a captain in the Civil Air Patrol. He was taught and mentored by Tuskegee Airmen Grover C. Nash and Dr. Leonard Scott. He completed his first solo flight on his 16th birthday and later attended Wilson Junior College.
He served in classified operations in the Army Air Corps during the Korean War and later flew wounded soldiers home from Vietnam. He went on to a 34-year career with the Chicago Transit Authority, retiring as director of Special Services, which he founded. There, he championed accessibility and community service. His contributions were recognized with numerous honors, the latest of which was a street named “Isaac Beal Way” in Forest Park and his inclusion in the Forest Park Wall of Renown.
A man of deep Christian faith, he served St. Bernardine Church as a Minister of the Eucharist, Parish Council member, and volunteer. He also supported local schools where he served as president of the PTA at Hookway Grammar School, the Regional PTA president, and the PTA president of Lindblom High School. He devoted countless hours of his time and talent to St. Ignatius College Prep, where he and Mary Beth received the Deborah M. Springer Award for outstanding service.
He enjoyed reading the Bible, family, telling stories, gardening, walking, animals of all kinds — especially birds — and flying planes. He always found joy in God’s creation and the freedom of the skies. Isaac’s spirit will forever remain a constant presence in our lives as a reminder to love generously and serve humbly.
Isaac was the husband of Mary Beth Cobleigh-Beal, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage; the father of Leslie Connie, Carol White, partnered with Carl, and Kate Beal, joined by Adam Tiagonce; the grandfather of Hosea, Isaac, Alina, and Amelia; brother of a constellation of brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. He is also survived by his sister, Amelda Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude (née Walker) and Davenport Beal; his siblings, James, Eddie, Ralph, and Cleopatra; and his first wife, Maude.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union (https://action.aclu.org/give/now) or to the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, c/o St. Luke and St. Bernardine parishes (https://slsrf.ejoinme.org/stvincentdepaul or cash/check sent to 528 Lathrop Ave., River Forest, IL 60305, in memory of Isaac Beal)
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 21 at St. Bernardine Church, 815 Elgin Ave., Forest Park.