Bernice Anne Volk "Bernie" Beard

Bernice Anne (Volk) Beard was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 11, 1923, to Karl Edward and Anne Sophia Volk (Sandmann), and went to be with her Lord on December 4, 2014 in Dearborn, Michigan. She was a Dearborn resident since 1932 and was a 1941 graduate of Fordson High School.

Bernice graduated in 1945 from Wayne State University with a B.S. in Home Economics. Special highlights were sorority activities and the dances held for service men by Henry Ford at Lovett Hall, where she even danced with Mr. Ford. At Wayne, she was a member of Sigma Iota Sorority and Phi Upsilon Omicron honorary fraternity in HomeEc. Bernice taught several years in the Dearborn schools before becoming a mother and homemaker.

On June 22, 1951, she married James Edmond Beard, M.D., who preceded her in death by only a few months. Jim and Bernice enjoyed many wonderful times together , such as musical events, including many Detroit Symphony and Dearborn Symphony concerts, as well as several trips to ancestral homes in Germany. Bernice was a long-time member of Dearborn Evangelical Covenant Church. She was also a long-time member of the Elizabeth Circle from Immanual Presbyterian Church in Detroit, Dearborn Winter Study Club, PEO, and a 50-year member of Garden Club. For 30 summers, Bernice, together with her family and extended family, has enjoyed being a member of Bay View Association, on Little Traverse Bay, where she participated in worship, Woman's Bible Study and Woman's Council, lectures, music programs, and recreation. She served each organization in many different roles and offices. Bernice was on a small committee of women in the 1960s who successfully fought to save Fairlane, the Dearborn home of Henry and Clara Ford. Bernice had many gifts, talents and interests including a thirst for learning and history, teaching, mentoring, needlework, sewing, music, reading, traveling and cooking.

Mrs. Beard was also preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law, Martha Beard. She is survived by her daughter, Marcia-Anne Beard Dunbar (Earl) of Loudon, NH and son David Volk Beard, PhD of Pocatello, ID, grandsons Jonathan Volk and James R.O. Dunbar, sister Ruth Beyer (Frank) of Woodland Hills, CA, niece Nancy (John) Beyer Hildebrandt, nephews Kurt (Nancy) Beyer and Tom Beyer, cousins and many dear friends. Peace to the memory of Bernice Anne Volk Beard.

A burial service will be at 10:30 at Acacia Park and a memorial service will be held at 2:30pm on December 23 at the Dearborn Evangelical Covenant Church. Memorials may be made to the church or to Bay View Association, Petoskey, MI. Further information may be attained at www.howepeterson.com.