Eugene Beard

Eugene William “Gene” Beard passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 20 in his home in Shelby; he was 77 years old.

Eugene was born on June 23, 1948 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Conrad, Montana, he was the first of five children born to Kenneth and Joyce Beard. He attended school in Conrad and Joined the U.S. Army in 1970. He served on Active duty for two year, was a reservist and served in the National Guard based in Shelby.

Gene worked several jobs in his life from Farm Labor, to janitorial work to working as a driver for International Truck Body in Conrad. For many years he worked at the theatres in Shelby and Conrad, which he did for 15 years.

He married Gloria Mae Miller on 14 March 1975 in Shelby, Montana. The couple had two children, Joyce Marie and Kenneth John. Eugene also had a son from a previous relationship, Bruce Wayne McMillen

Gene enjoyed putting together and painting intricate models, especially automobile models. He also enjoyed music and movies and was especially fond of going fishing whenever he could and was an avid hunter most of his life. Due to hip joint problems and hip replacements, Gene was less active in his final years and wasn’t able to do as much in the outdoors he so loved.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Joyce, his brother Thomas and his sister Lois.

He is survived by his wife Gloria Beard, his son Kenneth (Lacy) Beard, his daughter Joyce (Paul) Overlie, his son Bruce McMillen, His Sister Nola, his brother Herbert. He is also survived by grand children Caleb (Lisa) Beard, Mary Beard, Kendall Beard, Gunnar Beard, Tayla Overlie, Brianna Overlie, Acadia (Shawn) Graham and Levi Overlie and several great grand children.

A burial service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby.