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Johnie M. Beard, 93

Johnie M. Beard, 93, of Tekamah, died Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at his residence.

A memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the United Methodist Church in Tekamah. There is no visitation. Military honors will be conducted at the church by Robert Klase-Rogers VFW Post 7998 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post 215. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur.

Johnie M. Beard was born November 6, 1919, in Decatur, to John Andrew and Jennie Jerrine (Walker) Beard.

He graduated from Decatur High School in 1938, and shortly after, attended Aircraft Training School in California. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II in the military police.

On July 12, 1947, he married Mary Lou Seymour in Decatur. They lived most of their lives on a farm south of Decatur. In addition to farming, Mr. Beard sold feed and took tolls on the Decatur Bridge.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church for 60 years.

He was a very proud American veteran for more than 50 years. His devotion to his country played an important role in his everyday life.

Family and friends will always remember his humor and storytelling. He shared a love of family with his wife, son and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Tekamah; son, Barry of Omaha; two granddaughters and spouses, Brooke and Chris Boswell and Jasmyn and Derek Johnson of Blair; five great-grandchildren, Zachary, Nathan and Amelia Boswell and Addison and Thayer Johnson; sisters and brother-in-law, Beulah Lewis of Sioux City, Iowa, Betty Witthuhn of Loveland, Colo., and Doris and Don Worley of Decatur; sisters- and brother-in-law, Marcheta Strobel, Raymond and Jayne Seymour and Joan Schuler; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles “Rusty”; sister and brothers-in-law, Sara and Bob Baker, Howard Lewis and William Witthuhn; brother and sister-in-law, Lewis and Dona Beard; sister- and brothers-in-law, Patsy and Lowell Glassmeyer, John Strobel and George Schuler.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Pelan Funeral Services in Tekamah is in charge of arrangements.

www.pelanfuneralservices.com