MT. CARMEL, Ill. — Francis L. Beard, Jr., 81, of Mt. Carmel, Ill., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel.

Born June 21, 1928 in Okmulgee, Okla., he was the son of Francis L. Beard, Sr. and Vivian M. (Garrison) Beard.

He married Frances Marie Herbst on Aug. 21, 1954 in Mt. Carmel.

He was a member of the Oasis Assembly of God in Princeton. He was the owner and operator of FL Beard and later Beard Drilling, Inc. in Mt. Carmel. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife, Francis; three daughters, Elisa Suiter of Helena, Ala., Ellen and husband Tom Schaad of Venice, Fla., Leslie and husband Ricky Bohr of Nashville, Tenn; son, Bradley and wife Robin Beard of Mt. Carmel, Ill; two sisters, Wanda Isbell of Nashville, Tenn., Patsy and husband George Hubbard; eight grandchildren, Shawn Beam, Andrea Beam, Kristen Beam, Joshua Schaad, Kayley Bohr, Ricky Bohr, Lyndsay Beard and Jillian Beard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Francis Gregory; and a sister, Elaine Small.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 at Short Funeral Home in Mt. Carmel with burial to follow in Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-7 pm on Friday Sept. 11, 2009 at Short Funeral Home.