Roberta Jean (Busby) Beard, 92, of Frankfort, passed away at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021, at Wesley Manor in Frankfort. Jean was born March 21, 1929 in Kokomo, the daughter of Paul Landon Busby and Sareta Corine (Thompson) Busby. On February 26, 1950, she married William J. Beard; he preceded her in death on December 18, 2016.

Jean graduated from Kokomo High School in 1946 and Purdue University in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She taught 7th-10th grades at Cutler for one year before starting her family.  Jean was Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Beard Industries, Inc., where she and her husband, Bill, shared a long wooden desk from 1966-2003. She was a member of Frankfort First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Eastern Star, Alpha Xi Delta, and Zonta. Jean found great joy in serving her church and community, with leadership roles in Zonta, the Learning Network, and the Clinton County Community Foundation. Dedicated philanthropists, Bill and Jean Beard were instrumental in bringing a YMCA and an Ivy Tech Community College to Frankfort, and they heartily supported the On-Stage Foundation (Red Barn Theatre). Jean was the recipient of numerous awards, both independently and with Bill. In her leisure time, Jean loved singing, houseplants and flowers, hosting family occasions, attending local theater and events, and traveling the world.

The funeral service will be live-streamed at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2021.  Click the link below to participate.  This link will also be available for later playback.

https://www.facebook.com/firstchistian.church.16

Visitation and Services

Visitation for our beloved Jean will be held on December 29, 2021, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 58 S. Columbia Street, Frankfort, IN. Funeral service will be held on December 30, 2021, 2:00 p.m. (with 1:00 p.m. visitation) at Frankfort First Christian Church with Rev. Vernon (“VJ”) Stover and Rev. (retired) Pamela Ditson-McCall co-officiating. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery. Memorials in Jean’s name may be made to Clinton County Community Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of your choice. The funeral service will be live-streamed at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2021.  Click the link above to participate. 

Survived by:

Jean is survived by two daughters, Diana Glendenning (husband: John) of Lebanon, and Pamela Beard El-Dinary (husband: Ashruf) of Clarksville, MD; brother, Lawrence Busby of Cincinnati, OH; twin sister, Joan Busby Frech of Cotati, CA; four grandchildren, Julie Glendenning Freid (husband: Mark), David Glendenning, Aaron El-Dinary, and Amira El-Dinary; and four great-grandchildren, Emma, Cierra, Alice, and Felix.

Preceded by:

Jean is preceded in death by her parents and husband; brother, Paul D. Busby; sister, Theresa Busby Stripling; and two sons, Steven W. Beard and Neal A. Beard.