09/16/2011
Michael Merlyn Beard, born May 28, 1942, son of Milo (Mike) Beard and Dorothy (Edwards)
Beard was raised in the Knoxville community.
He attended St. Anthony’s school through
8th grade. In the fall of 1956, he started his freshman year at Knoxville High School.
He often stated those were some of the best years of his life. He developed many
lifelong friendships there. He was a proud member of the class of 1960.
Shortly
after his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served four
years, traveling to Lima, Peru and Bogota, Columbia in South America, as a topographical photographer.
After being discharged, he found employment, working for 20 years at the Gamble’s
of downtown Knoxville.
Many area residents made his acquaintance over those many
years. In 1984, he was employed by the VA Medical Center. As a member of the recreation
therapy department, Mike enjoyed planning activities for other veterans. Mike retired
in October 2001 from the Knoxville VA.
In the years since his retirement, he was
able to enjoy many round of golf at Pine Knolls Country Club and played many hands
of pitch with his friends there on Thursdays. He even managed to drop an ace into
their 7th hole on one fine October day.
Mike and Lou Ann (Koenig) were married June
8, 1968. They were blessed with a daughter, Maurya (Mollie), born in May of 1978.
Traveling was an important summer activity. Each year, the family would create special
memories as they traveled the states visiting friends, family and scenic destinations.
Mike was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s parish.
He was Baptized, received First
Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation there. He was a member of the Knights
of Columbus and always looked forward to helping with the Annual Lenten fish fries.
He is survived by wife Lou Ann, daughter Maurya Hofner (Mike), two grandchildren,
Andrew and Annaliese, two brothers, James (Gloria) Beard of Knoxville and Thomas
Beard (Carol Rowland) of Murfreesboro, TN, one sister, Patricia (Ken) Reddick of
Arden Hills, MN, and one brother-in-law, James Rahe. He was Uncle Mike to a grand
number of nieces and nepheaws.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Milo and
Dorothy, 2 sisters, Mary Joe Rahe and LaVohn Barbour, his in-laws Laurnie and Ruth
Koenig, brothers-in-law Larry Koenig and Basil Thompson, and two nephews, Mike Barbour
and Rodney Koenig.
Visitation 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM 09/19/2011 Knoxville Bybee & Davis Funeral Home 301 North Second Street Knoxville Iowa 50138
Service 10:30 AM 09/20/2011
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church 1202 Woodland Dr. Knoxville IA 50138 641-828-7050
Cemetery Graceland Cemetery Memorials Hospice of Central Iowa Mercy Boys Home of
Chicago PKD Foundation Knights of Columbus.