Allen Beard

Allen Neal Beard, age 75 of Beardstown, died Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born May 4, 1941 in Jacksonville, the son of Roland Glenn and Dorothy Lucille Krusie Beard. He married Karen Sue Cox on November 24, 1963 at First United Methodist Church in Beardstown.

He is survived by his wife Karen Beard; his daughter Nicole Beard; two grandsons Nick and Neal Beard all of Beardstown; two brothers Gary (wife Kittena) Beard and David (wife Susan) Beard both of Arenzville; one sister Meredith (companion Mike Milligan) Stock of Peoria; numerous cousins; his poodles Gizmo and Rowdy; and his grandpup Sugar.

He was preceded in death by his father Roland Glenn Beard, his birth mother Dorothy Lucille Krusie Beard, who died when Allen was six months old, his mother Phyllis Beard; and his son Timothy Beard.

Allen graduated from Arenzville High School in the class of 1959. Allen began working for BNSF Railroad in Beardstown, and later was a surveyor for Cass County. He then began working for the Vredenburgh Lumber Company, and then worked at Oscar Mayer. Throughout his working career, Allen had always designed signs on the side. In 1985, he and his wife moved to Springdale, Arkansas and owned and operated Beard Signs. They later moved back to Beardstown and continued serving many people with his business.

Allen enjoyed St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, dirt racing and watching his favorite NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. He had a passion for his garage which included making sure every tool was placed in its specific spot on the wall, working his business, and to many his garage was a place of trust. Allen loved sitting in his old blue chair spending time being around his family, and carrying on with that contagious Beard laugh. He will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2016 at First Christian Church in Beardstown, with Pastor Mike Courson officiating. Burial will be in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown.

Memorials have been suggested to the Beardstown Park District (Tim Beard Scholarship Fund) or the Beardstown Christian Academy (BCA).

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.