GEORGE G. BEARD

September 6, 1943 – November 15, 2025

George Gene Beard was born September 6, 1943, to Harold and Edna (Kuhnke) Beard on a farm in Northeast of Orangeville, IL.  George attended Orangeville school from the first through third grades.  His parents then moved the family to Pearl City, IL where George attended the Pearl City schools from fourth through ninth grades.  In the tenth grade, his parents moved again to Freeport, IL where he attended the Freeport Senior High School, graduating in 1961.  George attended one year at Highland Community College when Highland was in its infancy.

On November 2, 1963, George married Gail Jean Kneller at Zion Church in Freeport. Together they had three children, Mike (Lisa) Beard of San Antonio, TX; Dwight Beard of Stoughton, WI; Brenda (Paul) Wilson of Hammond, IN.

On November 2, 2025 they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.  On November 11th, he had triple bypass surgery at Mercy Hospital in Rockford, Illinois.  He passed during his recovery at the hospital.

George is survived by his children and two grandchildren, Stephanie (Ben) Morin of Dallas, TX and Aaron (Kelsey) Beard of San Antonio, TX.

In George's career, he worked for Gambles, Burgess Battery, Newell Company, and Northwestern Telephone Company.  George also owned Gail Antenna Services and The Phone Plaza.  He was also an Illinois licensed Security Officer for twenty years and worked briefly for Walmart and Farm and Fleet.  George volunteered for Stephenson County Crime Stop for over 30 years and he also volunteered for the Stephenson County Republican party.  George was a 40+ year member of the Freeport First Church of the Nazarene.

One November 15, 2025, George G. Beard (82) of Freeport, IL transitioned from this earthly life to eternity; being a Christian and having faith and hope in Christ as his Savior and Lord (Romans 3:23 and 10:9).  His inurnment was completed by Walkers Mortuary with the Visitation, Service and luncheon taking place on November 19, 2025, at The First Church of the Nazarene.