Shirley A. Beard, 90, of Piqua, passed away peacefully at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Brookdale of Piqua. She was born March 25, 1935 in Sidney to the late Edwin B. and Josephine M. (Hoover) Barhorst Sr. She married Richard C. “Dick” Beard on July 30, 1953, and he preceded her in death on June 16, 2004.
Shirley is survived by her three children, Richelle “Shelly” Beard of Piqua, Danielle (Michael) Mohrman of Houston, and Bruce (Tonya) Beard of Plain City; six grandchildren, Richie (Maggie) Beard, Tyler (Jennifer) Beard, Nicholas Beard, Taylor Beard, Zachary Beard, and Sydney Beard; five great-grandchildren; four brothers, Ted Barhorst, Joe (Sherri) Barhorst, Bill (Mamie) Barhorst, Dan (Pam) Barhorst, all of Piqua; five sisters, Mary Lou (Floyd) Yinger of Sidney, Rosie (Bill) Luthman of Minster, Chris (John) Gerlach of Piqua, Jeanie Leonard of Piqua, and Kathy (Luke) Braun of Jackson Center; her sister in law, Ruth Barhorst of Piqua; also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard C. Beard II; three brothers, Ed, Frank (Betty), and Michael Barhorst; and two sisters, Marilyn Bashore and Pat (Ed) Stang.
Shirley was a graduate of Sidney High School, Class of 1953. She worked as a Legal Secretary at various companies in Piqua, Sidney, and Troy. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Piqua. In her free time, Shirley loved to go fishing when she lived near the lake, and loved to play cards- especially Euchre and Rook. She was an excellent cook, and was well known in the family for her chicken and noodles, Chocolate Sheet Cake and her Lemon Cake. When she moved into Brookdale, she enjoyed playing Bingo, singing and playing instruments with other residents, and the religious services that were held there. Shirley was the Matriarch of the family, and cherished the titles of Mother and Grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, and made it a point to attend the kids’ and grandkids’ sports and activities through the years.
A service to honor Shirley will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Keith Gebhart officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, also at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Day City Hospice. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.