Douglas Beard, 83, of Poplar Grove, IL, died peacefully, October 15, 2025, in Rockford, IL. He was born January 23, 1942, in Chicago, IL, son to Elmer and Ruby (Miller) Beard. Doug loved life on the farm in Leaf River with his parents and three sisters. Douglas graduated from Leaf River High School in 1960. He married Georgia Ludwick in 1961. They had two children together, Bettina and Paul. He joined the United States Army in May of 1966 and served most of his time in Stuttgart, Germany. He was honorably discharged in May, 1972. The Army is where he learned his love of weightlifting.
In 1969 he married Versia Hicks where in their 10 years of marriage, they had two children, Pam and Doug Jr. and stepsister, Tricia. He started his career during that time at Poplar Grove Feed Co. (Kent Feed) in Poplar Grove where he would return to work many years later until the business closed. He was a valued employee and loved by all that met him. He was a long-time member of the Moose club which eventually led him into becoming a Bouncer at The Grove and other places around town. Doug was also a sports fan, especially the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Yankees.
May 2, 1998, he married the love of his life, the late Jo Ann Beard (Smith). They raised two boys, Adam and Jeffrey in Poplar Grove. Doug and Jo took up bowling and bowled for several years in bowling league. Doug never lost his love of weightlifting and worked out every day, always pushing for bigger and better results.
Doug loved knowledge and loved to learn. He had a keen mind and was very good at numbers. If you told him your date of birth, stranger or not, he could tell you what day of the week it was on. He was a huge fan of the discovery channel, BIGFOOT, UFO's and had all the Guiness Book of World Record books as well as all the Farmers Almanacs which he read cover to cover. He took up flying and became a pilot in the 1980's. He also enjoyed his CB's and HAM radio and met many friends across the airways. Callsign Euker. He will be loved and missed by all.
Douglas is loved and missed by his sons, Adam Beard, Jeffrey Beard, Paul Beard; daughters, Pam (Larry) Henggeler and Bettina (Brian) Vandemark; stepdaughter, Tricia Hicks; sisters, Lola Scerba, Edna Kay Francis and Beth Fridley; grandchildren, Josh, Andy, Brock, Joshua Dean, Tyler, Matthew, Alexis, and Scarlett ; various great grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and son, Douglas Beard, Jr.
A memorial visitation will be at 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008. Pastor David Smith will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor to the family to establish a memorial at a later date. Cremation Rites have been accorded. To share a memory, please visit www.andersonfcs.com.