Nancy Kay Beard

Nancy Kay Beard, age 89, of O’Fallon, Illinois passed away on February 2, 2026.

Nancy was born on May 15, 1936, in Watertown, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Jerome and Ruth Ware. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Beard; her sister Yvonne Kauss; and her brother, Robert Ware. She is survived by her brother, Russell Ware; her son Robert Beard and his wife, Rosalina, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; her daughter, Laura Beard, of Denton, Texas; and her son John “Jack” Beard and his wife Mary of Cherry Hill, New Jersey; and four grandchildren, Daniel Beard, Roberta Beard, Shane Beard, and Luke Beard.

Nancy attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she met her future husband, John. She was selected as a “Badger Beauty” at UW and was briefly a flight attendant for American Airlines. She married John in 1959, and they moved to Plattsburgh AFB when John was stationed there. Her three children were born in Plattsburgh shortly afterwards. The family later moved to Newfoundland; Warner-Robins, Georgia; Mount Holly, New Jersey; and Travis AFB, California, with a brief stay in Marathon, Wisconsin while John served in Vietnam. After Travis AFB, Nancy and John returned to New Jersey when John was stationed at McGuire AFB. John retired in 1987, and Nancy and John then moved to O’Fallon, Illinois, and bought one of the first houses built on Pepperidge Drive.

In the early 1960s Nancy started painting and became a respected artist in all the communities where she lived. She specialized in watercolors, but was also skilled with oils, acrylics, and other media. She loved to paint flowers, barns, and especially cats. She saved many cats throughout her lifetime, and they brought much joy to her and her family. She was a person who would always help a homeless cat.

Nancy stayed in O’Fallon after John’s passing, and continued painting in the St. Louis region and in other states. She participated in many regional art shows, including Art on the Square in Belleville. At age 87, she moved to The Colonnade Assisted Living Center, where she made many dear friends and received kind, loving care.

Nancy will be deeply missed by her family and remembered with love and gratitude. Her family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Animal Protective Association, 1705 S. Hanley Rd., Brentwood, MO 63144.

Memorial visitation will begin at 9 am, followed by a service at 10 am, Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Illinois. Fr. Nick Junker will officiate. The Beard family will host a reception at the family home, beginning at Noon.