Marilyn Janet Beard, of Frankfort, passed away early in the morning of December 15, 2022, at Wesley Manor Health Care Pavilion.
Marilyn was born in Carroll County on October 1, 1931, to the late Charles Milton and Hildred Magdalene (James) Robertson. She was a 1949 graduate of Burlington High School. On August 28, 1949, she married Robert Wayne Beard at the Hopewell Methodist Church.
Marilyn grew up attending Koro Methodist Church, was in the Tip-Top 4-H Club and high school band.
After marriage to Bob, she became a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church, attended Hillisburg United Methodist Church, and was a member of Michigantown United Methodist Church.
Bob and Marilyn welcomed three children – Linda, Janet, and Marty into their lives as Bob became a successful farmer and Marilyn embraced the role of farm wife and mother. She was an avid gardener and baker – winning many prizes in the Clinton County Fair as well as some in the Indiana State Fair. She was very active in her church community, especially in the United Methodist Women, both at the local and district levels.
As a young farm wife, she became active in the Warren Township Home Extension Club, serving in various offices, and after her children were grown, serving in both county and state offices. In 1992, she became State President of Indiana Extension Homemakers.
Throughout her life, Marilyn liked to travel, planning annual family trips to various state parks and resorts in Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Later, she and Bob enjoyed trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean, California, and Italy. In 1973, Bob and Marilyn bought a lake cottage in Syracuse, and they and the family enjoyed many happy times there.
Tragically, Bob died in a farm accident in 1990. Marilyn continued living on the farm until moving to the Village at Wesley Manor in 2006. In her 70’s and early 80’s, she continued to travel with her daughter, including a trip featuring a hot air balloon ride for her 80th birthday. She also was a Pink Lady, a house mother at Butler and worked at the Mulberry Library after Bob’s death.
Marilyn always supported her children and grandchildren in their many activities including 4-H, sports, and music. At her first grandchild’s birth, she chose the name, “Granny,” for herself and many knew her by that name, in addition to her grandchildren.
Always ready to make a new friend, Marilyn will be missed by her many friends and loving family.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; her brother, Ray Robertson; and sister, Eileen Pullen.
Surviving Marilyn are her daughters, Linda (Joe) Brant of Madison, WI. Janet (Jack) McConnell of Port Orange, FL; son, Marty Beard of rural Frankfort; as well as grandchildren Marcy Brant, Casey James Brant, Miles McConnell, Luke McConnell, Autumn Brady, Shea Kubik, Brandon Beard, Brock Beard, and Brenna Beard. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren, Lily, Rosie, Evan, Oscar, Reagan, Alexis, London, Jordan, Remi, Rowa, Cedar, ZJ, and Wilderness, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be Monday, December 19, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. until the beginning of the service at 2:00 p.m. at Genda Funeral Home in Frankfort. Memorials may be made to Wesley Manor or Clinton County Community Foundation. Messages of condolence to the family are welcomed at www.gendafuneralhome.com.