Donna L. Beard, 77, of Tavares, Florida, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022.
Born to Fred and Reka Sage of Royal IL, she married Carl Beard in 1963 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Royal, Illinois. She worked as a bookkeeper at Sadler Feed Mill and at Ron Stevens Insurance until her retirement in 1999. Donna was a Girl Scout Leader and member of St. John Lutheran Church in Royal, Illinois, where she served on the Altar Guild and Church Council. While living in Illinois, she enjoyed spending time each winter in Vero Beach. She loved quilting, thrifting for vintage items for her tea parties, and spending as much time as possible with her family and grandchildren. Donna enjoyed traveling with Carl and her family, camping and exploring many areas of the United States, including Alaska. She and Carl traveled to Costa Rica 11 times to visit their grandchildren, explore the beautiful country, and meet interesting people. After living in central Illinois many years, they moved to Tavares in 2007 from St Joseph, Illinois.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Carl Beard of Tavares, FL; two daughters, Christine MacLean of Mount Dora, FL and Melanie (Roy) Akers of Villa Grove, IL; brother, Myron Sage of Gifford, IL; sisters-in-law, Roxie Sage of Ogden, IL, Millie Sage of St. Joseph, IL and Regina Eich of Bloomington, IL; three grandchildren, Allison (Brennan) Staves of Jacksonville, FL, Caroline MacLean of Tampa, FL, Cameron MacLean of Jacksonville, FL; and great grandson Miles Mac Staves.
Donna is predeceased by her parents; infant son, Michael Wayne Beard; brothers, Wayne and Darold Sage; sister-in-law Marlene Alsip; brother-in-law Graham Eich; and son-in-law Charles “Mac” MacLean.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on July 23 at St. John Lutheran Church in Royal. Memorial donations may be made to Eastern Illinois Food Bank or Kopmann Cemetery.
