Vernon Charles Beard

Vernon "Vern" Charles Beard, age 72, of Summit Twp. died Saturday, May 9, 2009 at St. Mary's at Asbury Ridge after a lengthy illness. He was born in Cleveland, OH, on October 1, 1936, the son of the late, Anna Ladig and Alonzo Beard.

He moved to Erie in 1941. His early employment was in the fishing industry and he was the youngest licensed captain on the Great Lakes. Later he was employed at Hayes Mfgr. and retired in 1992 from National Fuel. He was a Mason and past Master of Lake Erie Lodge #437 FA&M, a member of Valley Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Erie. He was a member of the Shriners of North America. He had the call sign for Amateur radio, WB3IET, loved fishing and hunting and was a champion roller skater having competed in many tournaments and winning many awards both on the local and on the national level. He was a member of the Siebenbuerger Club and Summit Twp. Senior Citizens.

He is survived by his wife, June Bird Beard, one brother, William Beard, one half brother, Ernest Burns, and one grandson, Charles Yeager. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jimmie Beard.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Private interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th St., Erie, PA 16505 or to Broken Arrow Animal Sanctuary, 1903 West 8th St. Suite 233, Erie, PA 16505.

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