Dateline: Godfrey
John E. "Jack" Beard, 94, died at 1:36 p.m. Sunday, October 22, 2023 at OSF St. Anthony's Health Care Center in Alton. He was born January 8, 1929 in Alton to Ora and Emma F. (Hawkins) Beard. He married Mary Ann Gerbig at the Godfrey Methodist Church on July 2, 1949 by the Reverend Brookman. He retired from Conagra in 1995. Survivors include his wife, two daughters, Sharon Beard of Godfrey and Patti Christian of Alton, two sons, Robert Beard of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Dennis Beard of Godfrey, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Sanders. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:00 noon Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Reverend Sonny Renken will officiate. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com