BEULAH FERN BLACK

04/25/31 – 02/27/26

You were funny.

You hated your middle name but thought it was cute when your grandkids called you Fern.

You were ornery. Sitting in the car while dad & your friends ate lunch in the restaurant was a better choice than “fast food on a picnic table!” Or better to get your way? Yes, you were a pistol! And loved by all.

But you were also kind and generous. How many bags of groceries did you carry into the kitchens of others in need. Never letting them know you could use a bag yourself. Because you were beautiful inside and out.

And you loved your Lord and made sure everyone knew it. One of the last things you said was to be sure to tell everyone about God. Your favorite place to be was in His house or standing around the piano with friends and family, raising your hands to Him while singing His praises. And you loved to hum …. all the time. Yeah, it got on our nerves but oh how we would love to hear that sweet familiar voice again.

Most will remember you in the kitchen. You were one of the best cooks this world has ever seen. No matter how many were dragged through your door there was a plate for them at your table full of delicious homemade food. Every meal was a feast. You always said you learned it from your sweet mama on the farm where you were born to Essie Nell and Mervin Heindselman in a house that like yours, always smelled like Snickerdoodle Cookies. You left the farm & moved to a boarding house in town at 16 y/ o to finish high school where you claimed the title of queen numerous times while working as a telephone operator! That was until a charming young man from the neighboring big town of 500 people captured your heart when he saw you on the street corner one day while driving thru town. You were married for 56 years.

And you were talented. Your two kids won best costume every year in the local Halloween parade. And just mention that a friend didn’t have a costume and you were quick to pull out your Singer sewing machine and whip out a harem outfit complete with veil.

The Lord blessed us with you for nearly 95 years and left us with wonderful memories of your laughter and playing your harmonica. I miss you so much Mom, but especially your sweet smile. How can you be gone? You left a big hole when you left which will never go away because that’s where the memories are. You were an angel on earth and now you soar with them where you belong in Heaven with your son Rod and husband Jerry, your mama Essie Nell and sisters Ruth Dungey, Betty Long, Margie Neff, Donna Kauble, and brothers Bud & Jack Heindselman. You left behind a daughter, Arvey (Randy) Krise; granddaughter, Nikki (Mike) Stauffer; grandsons, Oliver (Alicia) & Reuben (Erin) Sliva, Joshua (Deana), Jordan (Jennifer) and Joel Black; ten great grandkids and a brother Larry Heindselman.

You were Mom, Grandma, wife, sister, Aunt Beulah, and friend. You and your big heart were so loved and are terribly missed by all. But we will see you soon. Dad & your Mama visited you frequently for the last few months of your life so we knew it wouldn’t be long before they would be coming to get you. I told you that dad told me he was ready for you to come home. Oh, what a glorious welcome that must have been!

Please join us at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 5, 2026 for a Graveside Celebration of Life for Beulah Black at Crest Haven Memorial Park where she will be reunited with her husband Jerry D. Black.

Family and friends are invited to join us afterwards for a meet and greet at HV’S FOOD & SPIRIT’S (formerly KFC) located at 317 S. West Street, Olney, Illinois 62450.