Obituary of Gerald R. Beard

Gerald R. "Jerry" Beard, 69 of Iowa City, died Thursday, March 29, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, April 2, 2012, at the Oxford Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in Jerry's memory to Pheasants Forever or the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gerald R. Beard was born August 19, 1942, in Oxford, the son of Ross and Wilma (Taylor) Beard. He was united in marriage to Rosanne K. Martin on October 16, 1965, in Pecatonica. Following their marriage the couple moved to Iowa City where Rosanne began a career with the Iowa City Press Citizen, and Jerry one as an electrician with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, both of them retired from these their longtime employer! These two were the epitome of the word "couple", you would see them all over the area, whether it was at a favorite restaurant, bowling alley or just cruising in their truck, Rosanne behind the wheel, but always together. Another thing they shared was the fondness of their granddaughter, Katie, you would swear from their talk that she was the only granddaughter this world has ever witnessed, they were so very proud of her. His family includes their son, Jeff (Tammy) Beard of Auroa, IN; granddaughter, Caitlyn Beard; daughter, Jeannie Stennitt of Chariton, IA; and his brother, Jim (Diane) Beard of Cedar Rapids. Rosanne, Jerry's wife preceded him in death on December 24, 2010.