OSER B. BEARD STAUNTON, VA Oser Brown Beard, 88, husband of Helen (Craun) Beard, of 815 Parkview Ave., went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at his residence. He was born December 25, 1923, in Middlebrook, a son of the late Oser Boyd and Clora Brown (Craig) Beard. Mr. Beard served in the United States Navy during World War II aboard a Battleship in the Pacific. When Japan surrendered, his ship was one of the first into Tokyo Bay. He received the following medals: Victory World War II, Asiatic Pacific and Five Stars. He was employed as a mechanic for 10 years, and later was employed at American Safety Razor for 31 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church. In addition to his wife of 62 years, family members include a son, Ernest Eugene Botkin of Spring Hill; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy B. and Brian Fendrich of Gastonia, NC; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Betty Beard of Middlebrook; four grandchildren, Mark Botkin, Lisa Leonard, Bruce Fendrich, and David Fendrich; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Miller Beard; and three sisters, Helen Arthur, Fern Schultz, and Rachael Wright. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012, in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Charles A. McFarlin. Burial will follow in Thornrose Cemetery. Graveside rites will be conducted by the Staunton VFW Post 2216. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2012, in the funeral home. (
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