Robert Beard

Robert Joel Beard, 72, of Ottawa passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012 at Ottawa Pavilion. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 at St. Francis of Assisi Church with Fr. Jules Adator officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 6:45 p.m. He will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park. Robert was born March 24, 1939 in Ottawa, Illinois to Robert H. and Mary E. (Besse) Beard. He married Marilynn E. Meagher on November 8, 1958 at St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa. He was a graduate of Jefferson Grade School and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1957. He worked at Sexton Engineering, King and Hamilton, Ottawa Silica and Prudential Insurance. He retired from Leslies Shoe Store in 1977 and Sheridan Correctional Center in 2002. From 1977 to 1983 he and his wife owned and operated Stop-N-Shop grocery store. He was an avid golfer and loved boating. He has been officiating sports in the Ottawa area since 1956. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilynn; one daughter, Jill Beard of Streamwood, Illinois; three sons, Terry (Tammy) of Ottawa, Kurt (Carol Anne) of Bothell, Washington, Doug (Vanessa) of Chandler, Arizona; six grandchildren, Ashley Downey, Kristen, Brandon, Kierian, Jacob, and Jensen Beard; and one great-grandchild, Ava Downey. He is preceded in death by his parents. Pallbearers will be Terry, Kurt, Doug, Brandon, Kierian, and Jacob Beard and Ashley Downey. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Weisbrock, John Kennedy, Mickey Leal, John Boe, Archie Boe, Steve Callaway, Harold Roush, and Steve Stull. Memorials may be directed to the family.