Jerry Beard

Jerry L. Beard, 84, of Berne passed away Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at Swiss Village. He was born Dec. 18, 1939 in Decatur to Roger H. and Orvena L. (Biberstein) Beard. He was married to Joyce C. Moser on Dec. 5, 1959, at First Missionary Church in Berne.
He served his country in the United States Army Reserves for eight years as a staff sergeant E6 in the field artillery during the Cold War. He was a member of First Missionary Church in Berne where he was a longtime middle school Sunday school teacher. He was also former president of the Berne Lions Club. He was a journeyman tool and die maker and retired from CTS in Berne. He was known for delivering the mail at Swiss Village. He loved trains, collecting trains, taking pictures of trains, anything trains. He traveled to all 50 states.
He is survived by his daughter, Teri (Rev. Ken) Hogg of Decatur; son, Jim (Sondra) Beard of Fort Wayne; brother, Richard Beard of Muncie; two sisters, Marilyn Augsburger of Poplar Grove, Illinois; and Judy Jones of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Joshua (Catalina) Hogg, Chrystal (Cole) Went and Colin (Taylor) Beard; and two great-grandchildren, Liam Went and Archer Hogg.
He was preceded in death by his wife on April 27, 2017; his parents; and son, John Allen Beard in infancy.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at the Swiss Village Chapel. Rev. Dathen Foust and Rev. Ken Hogg will officiate. Burial will follow at M.R.E. Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to Swiss Village Samaritan Fund. Arrangements provided by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes. Sign the online guest book at www.zwickjahn.com.