Dennis James Beard

Dennis James Beard, 38, of Pocahontas, IL, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

Dennis was born June 18, 1973, to Lester Eugene and Esther (nee Holbrook) Beard at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.  On August 14, 1998 he married Josie Spudich at Evangelical United Church of Christ, Highland, IL.

Dennis was a member of Local 100 for 20 years.  He was employed by Briteway Striping.  He was also a member of Heartland Polar Riders Snowmobile Club.  His passion was his children.  He loved to take his kids Go-Kart racing.  He liked to go boating.  He enjoyed deer hunting.  He really enjoyed the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Josie Beard; his mother, Esther Beard; father-in-law, Neal (Theresa) Spudich; mother-in-law, Cindy (Terry) Zweig; 3 children, Tessa, James, Alayna Beard; 10 brothers and sisters, Sandy (Harry) Gilomen, Jeannie (Dave) Fenton, Debbie (Frank) Lucco, Cindy (Butch) Poirez, Brenda Kantner, Butch Beard, Martin (Lisa) Koontz, Danny (Lisa) Beard, Tom Koontz, Deanna (special friend, Dan St. Peters) Landolt; 2 brothers-in-law, Danny Haberer, Derek (Heather) Spudich; 1 sister-in-law, Chelsea Spudich; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Eugene Beard; 1 sister, Susie Ehrle; 2 nieces and 1 nephew, Christine Ehrle, James Ehrle, Nichole Beard.

Memorials may be made to the Dennis Beard Benefit Fund at any Bradford National Bank location or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Visitation: Friday, May 25, 2012, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL, and Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church, Pocahontas, IL.

Funeral: Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church, Pocahontas, IL

Clergy: Rev. Dave Trover, Pastor

Interment: Hug Cemetery, Millersburg, IL.

Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL.