Duane Bean

Duane Anderson Bean, 56, of Benton, Illinois, passed away early Monday morning, December 23, 2024, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Duane was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 20, 1968, to Clyde Duane & Judy F. (Anderson) Bean. He was their only son and their true pride and joy in life. He lived in Chicago for a few years, until his father’s career brought the family to Benton, Illinois.

He graduated from Benton Consolidated High School with the Class of 1986, where he played many sports including baseball, wrestling, basketball, and football. Duane also played tennis, soccer, and golf, and competed in martial arts as a young adult. He completed some college courses in marketing and advertising, which he used to his advantage during his time with many local newspapers including Benton’s Evening News, Marion’s Daily Republican, and Chester’s Randolph County Herald Tribune. Duane then spent many years with BW Maintenance in Benton, Illinois, allowing him to pursue coaching in the off-season, before retiring lawncare and starting a new venture with Morthland College as a phone/tablet repairman. It was during his time at Morthland College that he and his son Kyle branched off from their work at the college and started their own company, Pro Prep and Fulfillment, which was their pride and joy for 6 years. Owning their own company allowed Duane and his son to work alongside one another, eventually bringing on Kyle’s wife Taylor who would often bring their first daughter Hailey along for work. It truly was a family affair. After leaving his entrepreneurship, Duane started on at the new up-and-coming Walker’s Bluff Casino & Resort, where he seemed to have found his niche. He loved his time with Walker’s Bluff, helping with multiple events and concerts, as well as charity work through the company for local communities. He worked his way up to Director of Security quickly and he truly enjoyed his colleagues and his work there.

One of Duane’s greatest joys in life was coaching wrestling and baseball. Many in the community knew him as Coach Bean, and he had the pleasure of mentoring many of Benton’s youth over the years including his son Kyle. Duane’s pride and dedication to his alma mater BCHS was unmatched. He saw many BCHS alum to victories at the state series for individuals and at the team level and was proud of each and every student he had the pleasure of working with. He committed a great portion of his life to his community, both through coaching and his work with the local newspapers. He worked hard to improve community relations between the local newspapers he served for and their surrounding areas.

Beano was an avid Cubs fan. He had a steadfast dedication to the team and had the pleasure of going to multiple Cubs games in recent years. He was even able to see his Cubs win the World Series. In his down time, he enjoyed watching sports, cooking, spending time with his fiancée Kellie and their dogs Bentley and Dax and playing darts with friends. Duane was a remarkable partner, a dependable friend, and a wonderful father and grandfather. His dedication to those around him and his infectious smile and laughter will forever echo in the lives of those he impacted. In a final act of selflessness and passion for helping others, Duane gave the gift of life after his passing by being an organ & tissue donor.

Duane is survived by fiancée Kellie Hunter, his son Kyle Duane Bean and wife Taylor (Davie), 3 grandchildren: Hailey Marie, Emma Louise, and Kaden Duane, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Judy F. (Anderson) and his father Clyde Duane Bean.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Blue Funeral Home, located at 1704 N. Court St. in Marion, Illinois 62959. Visitation will begin at 12:00pm. Duane’s celebration of life will begin at 1:00pm, with Mark Minor officiating. All are welcome to join in honoring his remarkable spirit, his love for his community, sports, and coaching, and his dedication to those he loved. Visit www.bluefuneralhome.com to leave your condolences online.