Rev. David S. Beard, age 80, of Bluffton, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 9, 2018, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.

Born in Spencer County, IN, on Jan. 8, 1938, to William L. and Ida E. Litherland Beard, he married Freda Cantrell, who preceded him in death on Feb. 18, 1986.  David then married Cheryl L. Gresham on Sept. 5, 1986, in Ft. Wayne, IN; she survives.

David retired as a reverend with the Church of God after more than 50 years of ministry.  He was a member of the Bluffton Church of God.

In addition to his wife, David is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Beard Kahn of Bluffton, and Lois (Jon) Aldridge of Bristol, VA; two sons, Christopher Beard and Michael (Jennifer) Beard, both of Ossian; 12 grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Myres of Hatfield, IN.

Aside from his parents, David was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Beard; a sister, Mildred Schaad; and a brother, James Beard.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, from 10:00 until 11:00 AM at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton.  Services will be held immediately following visitation on Thursday at the funeral home, at 11:00 AM., with Pastor John Roe officiating.  A committal service and burial will be Friday, Jan 12, 2018, at 1:00 PM (CST), at the Midway Cemetery, 4604 County Road 775 North, Richland, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bluffton Church of God.