The Allen John Beard Family

The Allen John Beard Family

The living legacy — from Washington County farms to modern America

In the heart of Maryland, Allen John Beard and Mary Devona Eyler Beard raised twelve children through war, hardship, and community life. Their enduring love and strength echo across generations of Beards still living today.

Allen and Mary Beard Family Portrait
Allen & Mary Beard with their twelve children, mid-20th century.

Allen John Beard & Mary Devona Eyler

(1897–1987) & (1901–1972)
Buried together at Rest Haven Cemetery in Hagerstown, Maryland

Married circa 1919 in Washington County, Maryland
The Greatest Generation: Allen and Mary raised their twelve children during the Great Depression and World War II, instilling values of hard work, faith, and family loyalty. Their children served in WWII, built careers, and continued the Beard legacy into the 21st century.

Their Twelve Children

Born 1920-1943, they lived through America's most transformative century

Click to read Jim's story

William Allen "Jim" Beard

(October 9, 1920 – December 18, 1986)
1st Child

U.S. Army WWII • Fairchild Industries (43 years)

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32nd Degree Mason • Trinity Lutheran Church

Click to read Dale's story

Robert Dale Beard

(April 7, 1922 – May 1, 1991)
2nd Child

Staff Sergeant • B-17 Tail Gunner

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Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters

Click to read Helen's story

Helen Elizabeth (Beard) Deavers

(October 15, 1923 – August 31, 2014)
3rd Child

WWII Switchboard Operator • MD Highway Admin

•

Married 63+ years to James Franklin

Click to read Jack's story

Jack McClellan Beard

(March 23, 1925 – January 12, 2004)
4th Child

Steel Worker • Morgan & Keller Construction

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Father of 6 • 13 grandchildren & 13 great-grandchildren

Click to read Betty's story

Betty Jane (Beard) Pashen/Monninger

(February 26, 1926 – December 30, 1997)
5th Child

Buried in Rest Haven Cemetery

Click to read Don's story

Donald "Don" Eyler Beard

(July 5, 1927 – June 5, 2017)
6th Child

Dairy Farmer (70 years) • Baseball Champion

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Married 69 years to Thelma • Father of 6

Click to read Charles' story

Charles Edward Beard

(September 25, 1929 – May 6, 2001)
7th Child

Dairy Farmer (1951-1989) • Baseball Player

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Father of 6 • 16 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren

Click to read Leota's story

Mary Leota "Bunk" (Beard) Mullendore

(September 9, 1937 – June 30, 1986)
8th Child

Buried in Boonsboro Cemetery

Click to read John's story

John D. Beard

(b. April 4, 1940)
9th Child

Living in Hagerstown as of May 2025

Living family member
Click to read Joyce's story

Joyce Darlene (Beard) Miner

(b. May 9, 1941)
10th Child

Living in Hagerstown as of May 2025

Living family member
Click to read Neal's story

Lawrence Neal Beard, Sr.

(December 8, 1942 – March 26, 2025)
11th Child

Dairy Farmer • Hoof Trimmer (25+ years)

•

Baseball Coach • Outstanding Young Farmer 1973

Passed away March 26, 2025
Click to read Eddie's story

Edwin "Eddie" Lee Beard

(December 3, 1943 – June 19, 1962)
12th Child

Died at age 18

•

Buried in Rest Haven Cemetery

Passed away in a tragic drowning accident on Tuesday, June 19, 1962

Allen & Mary's Modern Legacy

12 Children
2 WWII Veterans
2 Still Living
23 Years Span

Living Memory

Allen and Mary's children witnessed the transformation of America from the Depression era through the digital age. With John and Joyce still living in Hagerstown, the Beard family story continues to unfold, bridging five centuries of American history.

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Allen John Beard: A Life Through History

Allen John Beard: A Life Through History

1897 – 1987: Eighty-Nine Years of World-Changing Events

From horse-drawn carriages to space exploration, Allen John Beard witnessed humanity's most transformative century. Here are the major world events that shaped the backdrop of his remarkable 89-year life.

🌟 Allen John Beard (1897–1987)

Born into a world of gas lamps and telegraph wires, he lived to see computers and satellite communications transform human civilization.

The Dawn of the Modern World

1897 – 1920 • Allen's Birth & Youth
September 22, 1897
Allen John Beard is Born
Into a world where horses powered transportation and electricity was still a luxury.
Birth Year
1903
Wright Brothers' First Flight
Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight at Kitty Hawk.
Allen is 6 years old
1906
Washington County Rural Electrification Begins
Electric power lines slowly reach rural Washington County farms, transforming daily life for families like the Beards.

Source: Maryland State Archives
Allen is 9 years old
1912
Titanic Sinks
The "unsinkable" RMS Titanic strikes an iceberg and sinks, shocking the world and ending an era of unbounded optimism.
Allen is 15 years old
1914-1918
World War I
The Great War reshapes Europe and introduces modern warfare. Over 16 million die in the conflict that was supposed to "end all wars."
Allen is 17-21 years old
1919
Allen Marries Mary Devona Eyler
Allen begins his family life in Washington County, Maryland, around the same time women gain the right to vote.
Allen is 22 years old

Building a Family

1920 – 1943 • Allen's Growing Family
1920-1943
Allen & Mary Raise 12 Children
Through the Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, and into World War II, Allen and Mary welcome twelve children who will go on to serve their country, work in vital industries, and continue the Beard family legacy.
Allen is 22-46 years old
1929
Stock Market Crashes
Black Tuesday triggers the Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in modern history.
Allen is 32 years old
1941-1945
Fairchild Aircraft Booms in Hagerstown
Fairchild Industries becomes a major WWII contractor in Hagerstown, employing thousands including Allen's son Robert Dale. Construction of Plant 2 at Hagerstown Airport began in early 1941, with additional assembly bays and flight-testing hangar added by 1943.

Source: First Breach
Allen is 44-48 years old

The Space Age & Beyond

1950 – 1987 • Allen's Final Decades
1969
Moon Landing
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the moon. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Allen is 72 years old
January 28, 1972
Mary Devona Beard Passes Away
Allen loses his beloved wife Mary at age 70 after more than 50 years of marriage, ending an era of their shared life together.
Allen is 74 years old
1980s
Hagerstown Economic Diversification
Facing industrial decline, Hagerstown pursues economic diversification, attracting new employers and expanding into various industries to mitigate the impact of economic downturns.

Source: Washington Post
Allen is in his 80s
May 3, 1987
Allen John Beard Passes Away
After 89 extraordinary years, Allen John Beard passes away, having witnessed humanity's transformation from the horse-and-buggy era to the computer age.
Allen is 89 years old
2025
Allen's Legacy Lives On
Nearly 40 years after his passing, Allen John Beard's descendants preserve his memory and family history, ensuring his legacy endures through the digital age.
His family continues his story
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Explore the Beard Generations

Explore the Beard Generations

Johan Wilhem Barth1st Hanß Philips Barth2nd Johann Wendell Barth3rd Georg Barth4th Nichlaus Beard (Bard)5th John P. Beard6th Frederick Beard Sr.7th David Beard8th John Henry Beard Sr.9th John Henry Beard Jr.10th Allen John Beard11th