April 30, 1923 – November 6, 2019
Opal McAhren Beard, 96, Sheridan, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, November 6, 2019 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. Born in Pickard, Ind., on April 30, 1923, she was the daughter of the late James Ester and Lillie Mae (Baker) McAhren. On April 4, 1945, Opal married the love of her life, James Brooks Beard.
During World War II, Opal would take the bus over to Anderson to work for Delco Remy. She would later hire on with Biddle Screw Factory in Sheridan and retire from Fred’s Frozen Foods. One of the jobs she was most well-known for (at least in this part of the county) was for making pies for Guy Barrick’s restaurant on Main Street in Sheridan. The restaurant stood where Carey on Main currently sits. Opal was also an Avon lady for many years. She loved visiting with the families that she called on over the years.
Opal was known as one of the area’s better foragers. Her specialty was mushroom hunting, but it didn’t stop there. Apples, raspberries, elderberries, dandelion greens … you name it. If you could eat it, she knew were a patch of it was growing. She loved the thrill of the hunt. Searching along the railroad tracks and the fence rows of neighboring fields, most of the backyards from Pickard to Sheridan, and a whole lot of secret mushroom spots that nobody will ever know about, Opal was in her element. Opal was also a master gardener. Whether she found it or grew it, you knew it would end up in something delicious. Black raspberry jelly and persimmon pudding were her specialties.
Opal also enjoyed sewing and traveling. If her girls and aunt Betty were up for a trip, so was Opal. Didn’t matter where they were off to, it was going to be an adventure.
Opal was member of the Sheridan First Christian Church for over 70 years and a member of the Sheridan American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary.
Above all else, Opal was a kind and gentle soul who poured her heart into parenting her children and her many grandchildren. To Opal there was nothing more important in this world than her family. She is survived by her son, James Brooks Beard, Jr., Nashville; three daughters, Dena M. Beard, Sheridan, Linda L. Sutton, Westfield, and Opal Lynn Napoli, Sheridan; 10 grandchildren, Joshua B. Beard, Nicholas L. Beard (Belinda), Jama L. Barker (Steve), Marie Grace (Dave), Michael K. Sutton, Larry L. Beard, Jon F. Bess (Beth), Sean B. Sutton (Karen), Gabrielle Gough (Ryan) and Celeste Napoli (Tim Cullinan); 20 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and by her son-in-law, Timothy Kent Sutton.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service.
Arrangements
Calling: 4 to 7 p.m., Nov. 12
Service: 7 p.m., Nov. 12
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com