Allan Beard

Allan Charles "Chip" Beard age 65 of South Bend, IN formerly of Elsie, MI, passed away Friday, August 4, 2017 at Center for Hospice Care, South Bend, Indiana.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the Funeral Home.

Allan was born in Owosso, Michigan on December 31, 1951 the son of Alvin and Effie (Eldridge) Beard.  Allan grew up in Owosso and lived in many other places while serving in the Navy.  After retirement from the Navy, he resided in Elsie, MI.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and 21 days.  Allan is a Vietnam and Desert Storm Veteran. He enjoyed hunting, fishing but most of all loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.  Allan cared for his father until his passing in April of 2016.  He was a member of the Owosso VFW Post.

Allan is survived by 2 daughters May Aust of Lawrenceville, GA, Karen and Thomas Flannery of South Bend, IN; 3 grandchildren Cassondra Carman, Hayden Hernandez, Bradley Flannery; great-granddaughter Lola Belle Carman sister Pamela Heckman of Owosso, MI; sister Sherry and Arthur Cornett of Waco, TX; brother Terry and Karen Latham of Calvert City, KY; step-sister Marcia and Brad Parker of Bonita Springs, FL; sister Teresa and Jeff Draheim of Owosso, MI; special cousin Vicki and Russ Heckman of Ovid, MI; special aunt Virginia Brenner of Owosso, MI.  Allan was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Nelda Beard and several Beard aunts and uncles.

Memorials may be made to the VFW National Home for Children 3573 Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.