James A Beard

James A. Beard, 75, of Lebanon, passed away on Thursday, February 13th, 2014 in the Lebanon V.A. Hospice Unit. He was born in Lebanon, a son of the late James Herman Beard and Emilie Grace Keesey Gassert. James was the husband of Marjorie J. Hampton Beard to whom he was married for 55 years. Mr. Beard was retired from Bethlehem Steel where he was a Supervisor and Draftsman. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and proud to show his patriotism. He was a PIAA Basketball Official. He was a member of the Mt. Olivet Lodge F&AM #704, Lebanon H.S. Sports Hall of Fame, Navy Club Ship # 91 and Messiah Lutheran Church, Lebanon. He enjoyed collecting marbles, gardening, created a fish pond in his back yard, his family, especially his grandchildren and great granddaughter. Surviving are his wife, step mother: Hazel Beard of Lebanon; children: Lori A, wife of Richard Wert, Lebanon; Jeffrey A, husband of Elizabeth Blair Beard, Jonestown; Michelle J, wife of Harry Anderson, Boyertown; Michael S. Beard of Nags Head NC; David J. Beard of Lebanon; grandchildren: Destinee Anderson; Emily Todoroff; Heather Wert Maldonado; Zachary Anderson; William Aaron Beard; Chantee Beard; Ethan Beard; Austin Beard; Ian Job Beard and James M. Beard; great granddaughter: Emma Grace Todoroff; brothers: Charles “Bud”, husband of Patricia Beard and Thomas, husband of Janet Gassert, all of Lebanon; sisters: Diane Adelman of Lancaster; Penny Bankes of Lebanon and Linda Knorr of Jonestown. James was predeceased by a sister, Jamie Kruleski. A viewing will be held in the Rohland Funeral Home Inc., 508 Cumberland St., Lebanon, Pa., 17042 on Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 from 6:00-8:00p.m. A funeral service will be held in Messiah Lutheran Church, 1800 Oak St., Lebanon, Pa.,17042 on Thursday, February 20th, 2014 at 11:00a.m. with a viewing from 10:00a.m. until the time of the service in the church. Interment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery following the service at 12:30p.m. Contributions may be made in James memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN., 38105, Lauren Trovinger, C/O Pam Steller, 1103 State Dr., Lebanon, Pa., 17042 or Messiah Lutheran Church.