Ian L. Beard

Ian L. Beard, of Saranac, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the age of 78. He was born September 29, 1939 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Gerald and Gladys (Gray) Beard. Ian married his beloved wife of 46 years, Mary Ann (Billingsley) on July 24, 1971.

Suriving Ian are his wife, Mary Ann; daughter, Michelle (Rich) Applegate of Boca Raton, FL; son, Jeffrey Beard of Saranac; grandsons, Brayden and Brewer Applegate of Florida, Brett Beard of Eagle, and Kai Beard of Saranac; sisters-in-law, Janet Robinson, Becky Billingsley, and Jane Billingsley; brothers-in-law, Larry Billingsley and Duane Billingsley; also surviving Ian are two uncles, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding Ian in death are his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Lois Beard; brothers-in-law, Keith Billingsley and Don Robinson; and father and mother-in-law, Harvey and June Billingsley.

He retired from General Motors in 1995 after 30 years of service.

Ian's early childhood was spent in the Crystal area, moving to Mt. Dora, Florida in his early teen years and then returning to Michigan as an adult. He loved bowling, golfing, playing cards, hunting, camping with his family, watching his children's sporting events, and grilling hot dogs for his son's Portland High School baseball team. In retirement, he liked to cook, watch the wildlife from his Saranac home, drive his John Deere Gator in the woods, and watch sporting events on T.V. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Ionia County Commission on Aging, 115 Hudson St., Ionia, MI 48875; Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence (hospiceoflansing.org), 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing, MI 48910; or the American Heart Association (americanheart.org) in honor of Ian.

Per Ian's wishes, there will be no services held.

Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com. 

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