Gene Allen Beard, Sr.

Gene Allen Beard, Sr., 77 of Robinson, IL, died at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL at 4:32 a.m., Thursday, April 10, 2008. He was born June 30, 1930 in Robinson, the son of Charles A. Beard and Dessa Zinnia O’Dell Beard. He was a retired pipefitter and owned and operated the Jo Dawn Motel in Robinson for 25 years and owned and operated 'Gene’s Bargain House' for 20 years. He served in the U. S. Marines during the Korean War. He was a member of the Robinson Masonic Lodge AF&AM #250 and the Danville Consistory. He also attended special services at the Flat Rock Free Methodist Church.Gene married Norma Jean Ray on January 9, 1951 and she survives. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Gene Allen Beard, Jr. and Denise Beard, Robinson; 4 grandchildren and their spouses, Stacey and Josh Meadows, Palestine, Christy and Mark Van Schoyck, Robinson, Gene Allen 'Homer' Beard III and his wife, Tiffany, Robinson, and Brittany Beard, Robinson; 6 great grandchildren, Shania, Blake, Cooper, and Elliott Meadows, Palestine, Garrett Van Schoyck, Robinson, and Ava Beard, Robinson; his sister, Ann Taylor, Oblong; and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Judy Jean Beard in 1951; his son, Gregory 'Buster' Alan Beard, and 13 brothers and sisters.Funeral services will be Sunday, April 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Rev. Joe Latson is in charge of services. Burial is in the Robinson New Cemetery. Visitation is from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 12th. Masonic services will be conducted by the Robinson Masonic Lodge #250 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Military graveside rites will be conducted at the Robinson Cemetery by the combined units of the Robinson V. F. W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, the Amvets Post 33, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association with envelopes at the funeral home.