Published on November 17, 2025 9:50 am
Last Updated on November 17, 2025 10:48 am
Richard Griffith Beatty, 86, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
Memorials may be made to Effingham County Humane Society. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Richard was born on May 21, 1939 in Moberly, MO, the son of Martin and Dorothy (Griffith) Beatty. He married Peggy Holmes on February 20, 1965.
Richard served his country in the United States Air Force. After completing his military service, Richard returned home and began his career as a wholesale liquor salesman for Jul Fischer and later Koerner Distributor. Coming from humble beginnings, he built on hard work and determination, quickly becoming one of the leading wholesale liquor salesmen in the region. On February 20, 1965, he married Peggy Holmes at Sacred Heart Church in Effingham. To this union, two children were born, Bart and Angie.
In 1976, Richard purchased the Lincoln Lodge Motel, marking the beginning of a decades-long career in hospitality. He went on to open and operate 11 hotels across major brands, including Choice, Marriott, Hilton, Best Western, IHG Hotels, and Days Inn—even opening the first Days Inn in the state of Illinois. Outside of hotels, he also opened some community favorites like the Raintree Restaurant, Chasers, and G. Wilikers.
Richard served on the Effingham Tourism Advisory Board, represented District Three as a Governor for Best Western, and was a member of the Effingham Elks Lodge 1016. Beyond his professional career, he traveled, played golf, enjoyed the lake house, and looked forward to Wednesday night get-togethers with friends.
Richard is survived by his wife, Peg Beatty; daughter, Angie Jones; granddaughters, Macci (Andy) Lustig and Payton Jones; grandson, Jordan Jones; sister, Barbara (Richard) Wallace; great-grandchildren, Aiden Lustig and Ivy Lustig; sisters-in-law, Deborah (Connie) Holmes and Beth Miller; and his “right hand man” Mark Wildbur.
He was preceded in death by his father, Martin Beatty; mother and stepdad, Dorothy and Ralph Esker; son, Bart Beatty; sister-in-law, Vickie Dasenbrock; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenny and Katherine Holmes; and nephew, Scott Wallace.