Ellis W. Beals

Ellis Wayne Beals, 85 of Springvale, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, with family by his side at his son’s home in Lyman.

“Wayne” was born May 24, 1941, in Wolfeboro, NH the son of Ellis and Katherine (Thompson) Beals. He spent much of his early life in Shapleigh and Springvale, Maine where he attended local schools, graduating from Sanford High in 1958. He served in the United States Air Force and later lived in Portland, Brewer and New Gloucester with his first wife and their two children before settling again in Springvale where he and his second wife, the late Patricia (Bowen) Beals, raised a family and made their home for more than 50 years until her passing in September of 2023.

During his time in the service (1958-62) he was assigned to the medical/dental corps. That led to a long and successful career in the dental laboratory business. For nearly 50 years he worked at, managed and owned labs in Portland, Bangor, Sanford and Westbrook, crafting cast partials and other prosthetics for generations of people. The award-winning Certified Dental Technician was a firm, loveable boss. He finally retired in 2007 from National Dentex (NDX).

As a young man he spent countless hours with his grandfather Edmund T. Beals. They enjoyed Acton Fair, gardening and other farm chores as well as working with the family to gather pine boughs, cones and other decorations to make and sell hundreds of wreaths to locals and out-of-staters every holiday season. As a teenager he worked at Chadbourne’s Florist shop which sprouted an interest in flowers and plants. He had a passion for photography along with developing and printing his own pictures. Ellis earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was pleased to see his grandson Everett do the same.

Patty and Wayne were faithful churchgoers as well as dedicated members of the Eastern Star. He was devoted to Springvale Masonic Lodge, York County Shrine Club, Scottish Rite Masons, Kora Shriners and the Kora Renegades. He enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables that he and Patty appreciated with their family year round. Together they raised various farm animals and loved several dogs and cats as pets. They traveled extensively on business but also for pleasure, including memorable family vacations to Disney World.

Ellis enjoyed time with friends and family in the hunt of rusty treasures, making numerous trips to Pennsylvania in search of gently used collectibles. He thrived on sharing his knowledge while restoring numerous antique tractors and cars, from John Deeres and Allis-Chalmers to Fordsons, and Farmalls. Renovating the vintage vehicles led to decades more enjoyment – most notably touring with friends and family in the Ford Model Ts and an extra special Mustang.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, in-laws, his wife of 52 years Patricia Beals, and sister Elaine “Karen” Nye.

Ellis is survived by his three children, Laurie Beals of Springvale; Eric and his wife Jen of Lyman and Edward “Tim” and his wife Jill of Kennebunk. He was overly proud of his five grandchildren and their successes – Evan, Libby and Trevor Beals and Everett and Ella Beals. His two surviving siblings are sister Beverly and her husband Spike Fogg of Sanford and Sandra Hartsgrove who resides in Florida. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday July 12 at the Black-Heald & Walker Funeral home at 580 Main Street in Springvale. The funeral service (with a brief visitation period before) is scheduled Tuesday July 14 at 10:30 a.m. The burial will follow at noon at the Southern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Ellis W. Beals to the Shriners Children’s organization