Charles Newton Beard (Monk) of the Middlebrook Road, Staunton, died September 2, 2016 after a brief residency at Summit Square Retirement Community, Waynesboro, and hospital stay at the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was born November 27, 1926 in Augusta County, a son of Oser Boyd and Clora Craig Beard, and grew up in the village of Middlebrook. He graduated from Middlebrook High School, and attended Dunsmore Business College and the extension division of the University of Virginia in Staunton. Charlie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bettie Arehart Beard; a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Newton (Sally) and Shannon C. Shafer of Richmond; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sally and William Brubeck of Middlebrook; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and three sisters and two brothers: Helen Arthur and husband Beverly, Rachel Wright and husband Homer, Fern Shultz and husband Fred, Oser Beard and wife Helen, and Miller Beard. He served in World War II with the United States Merchant Marines in the Pacific, and with the United States Army in the Korean Conflict. Charlie was a life-long member of Bethel Presbyterian Church joining when he was 12 years old. He and Bettie were married there and he served as an Elder, Superintendent of Sunday School, and a Trustee. He devoted 30 years to cemetery oversight, and enjoyed participating in the church choir. He was a member of the Middlebrook Ruritan Club and enthusiastically gave back to the local community. He became a member at the age of 18 and was District Governor for a term during the late 1950s. His record on monthly attendance was meaningful as well as his family volunteering in club events. Following his years of military service, he was employed by Westinghouse Air Conditioning Division, and succeeding companies, in the engineering department. His semi-retirement included service as an instructor for the commercial air conditioning training school with Daikin; his cumulative span totaled 66 years. Charlie gladly checked on neighbors up and down the Middlebrook Road. He liked farming on a small scale, and learning Civil War history. His favorite vehicles over the years included a Cushman scooter, a bicycle built-for-two, and he enjoyed MG rides on curvy county roads. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 3 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2016, in Bethel Presbyterian Church by the Rev. JoAnn Bunn with family visitation following in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be private. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, designated to the Cemetery Fund, 563 Bethel Green Road, Staunton, Virginia 24401.