Galen Stuart Bethel (Bean), 74, of Montgomery City, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday December 2, 2017 surrounded by his family. Galen was the type of husband you pray your daughter would find, and the kind of father you desire your children become, a brother whose closeness and protection was never of shortcoming, and a friend who has always had a helpful hand and a giving heart that was always at close reach. Galen was born on October 9, 1943, in New Florence, son to the late Richard and Lorraine (Rich) Bethel. Galen was a 1961 graduate of Montgomery County R-II High School in Montgomery City. On July 21, 1962, he was united in marriage to Rose Marie Cunningham at Immaculate Conception Church in Montgomery City.

Galen began his work with Missouri State Parks at Grahams Cave. He expanded his career as supervisor of multiple State Parks including Lake of the Ozarks, Hawn State Park and Pershing State Park. Galen also pursued work as owner/operator of the New Florence Mill. In 1974 Galen was hired on with Teamsters as a car hauler, a career from which he would retire 26 years later but would remain co-owner of B &T Trucking with his son-in-law. As Galen would refer to it, his "working vacation" in Estes Park, Colorado presented yet another job opportunity for him to be a part of the Rocky Mountain Transit Management team for the past twelve years.

In addition to working, he enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking the Rocky Mountain trails and golfing with his brothers. During retirement Galen and his wife pursued their passion for travel by residing in Florida as well as in Colorado and returning to their home in Montgomery City in between. Galen took pride in being a part of the Catholic Church, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and participated alongside his wife in TEC retreats.

In addition to his spouse of 55 years, Galen is survived by his five children, Timothy Bethel and his wife Sandy of Montgomery City, Bobbette Tucker and her husband Rick of Montgomery City, Beatrice Koenigsfeld and her husband Glen of Walford, Iowa, Noah Bethel and his wife Melissa of Tampa, Florida, and Thomas Bethel of Kansas City; fourteen grandchildren, Carolyn and Renee Bethel, Tyler (Stephanie) Haberstock, Erika (Tony) McCray, Cody (Jen) Tucker, Bridget (Derek) Otto, Marcy Koenigsfeld, Chloe, Sydney, Noah T. and Gracie Bethel, Ashley (Warren ) Bodner, Dalas Bethel, Aden Bethel; five great-grandchildren, Sereniti, Theo, Nathan, Luke, and Oliver; five brothers, Joseph (Barb) Bethel of New Florence, Les (Stevie) Bethel of Aurora, IL, David (Janis) Bethel of Columbia, Charles (Lola) Bethel of Beckley, West Virginia, and Donnie (Lisa) Bethel of Montgomery City; two sisters, Ellen (Gerald) Schindler of New Florence and Kathy (Neil) Mohrman of Jefferson City; and two brothers-in-law, William (Judy) Cunningham of Montgomery City and Mike (Kathy) Cunningham of New Florence.

Galen was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lorraine Bethel; in-laws, Thomas and Beatrice Cunningham; brother-in-law, Joseph Cunningham; and one niece, Victoria Bethel.

Visitation was held on Wednesday December 6, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montgomery City, MO from 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass. Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday December 6, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montgomery City, MO with Fr. Augustine as celebrant along with Monsignor Greg Higley, Fr. Chris Cordes and Fr. Ed Doyle assisting. Burial was in St. Mary's cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church, Helen Reagen Cancer Fund or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All may be sent in care of Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO 63361.

Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City is handling the arrangement