Robert O. Beard, 87 years old of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2011 at his residence following an illness of five months. He was born on Wednesday, November 7, 1923 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the son of the late John W. Beard and the late Marie M. (Allmandinger) Beard. He married Rita A. Thor on June 30, 1951 in Middlebury, Indiana. Robert served in the United States Navy during WW II. He was a member of the American Legion Post #420, a life member of the VFW #2457 in New Haven, a life member of the DAV and a member of the Moose Lodge #1311 in New Haven. Robert retired in 1985 from Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a foreman with thirty-seven years of service. Surviving are his wife, Rita A. Beard of Monroeville, daughter, Linda Sue Scott of New Haven, daughter, Joyce Ann (Dan) Bouman of Clinton Township, Michigan, daughter, Jeanne Marie (Rich) Tobias of Decatur, daughter, Laurie Ellen Merz of Monroeville, brother, Russell Beard of Convoy, Ohio, brother, Bill Beard of Monroeville, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Preceding Robert in death were three brothers; Leo, Carl & Paul 'Dick' Beard and one sister, Lola Beard. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2011 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with Chaplain Karen Kosberg officiating. Interment will follow in the Monroeville Memorial Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 31 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville and from 10:00 a.m. to the service time on Monday in the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to Monroeville Fire Department, Monroeville EMS or Parkview Hospice.
