Esther Fay Beard

June 18, 1929-October 11, 2022

Esther Fay Beard, age 93, of rural Atlanta, Indiana passed away Oct. 11, 2022 at Miller’s Merry Manor at Tipton, Indiana.

She was born June 18, 1929 near Arcadia, Indiana to Avery and Mary (Belzer) Bowman.

Mrs. Beard attended Walnut Grove School Elementary and Junior High School and graduated in 1947 from Walnut Grove High School.

Esther Fay, as she was fondly known, married Ralph Eugene Beard on Jan. 13, 1951 and they began their lives together in a farm home north of Arcadia. She enjoyed her new role as homemaker and also worked in the Cafeteria at Walnut Grove School.

Mrs. Beard was an active member of the Arcadia Church of the Brethren. When the new Brethren Church was built, the old church was torn down. She gathered wood from the demolition, and being a gifted wood carver, she made Christmas ornaments from the wood and gave them to family, friends and church members. She was an excellent seamstress and made clothing for her family. She also made a quilt for each grandchild (seven of them) and gave a handmade quilt to each one when they graduated from high school. In her leisure time, Mrs. Beard enjoyed reading, crocheting, taking care of her pets and just being outdoors.

Survivors include her daughter Karen Fay Chase of Windfall, Ind.; sons Charles Avery Beard of Arcadia and Steven Eugene Beard of Atlanta; seven grandchildren Cristy, Sara, Amber, Stephanie, Candace, Amanda, and Anna; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister Leona Zetterberg.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Hartley Funeral Home Cicero Chapel, 209 West Jackson Street, Cicero with Pastor Mark Knapp officiating. Burial will follow at the Cicero Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled to run from 12 p.m. until time of the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to your local Humane Societies.

Friends and family may give condolences online at hartleyfuneralhomes.com.