Former Oberlin mayor and local pharmacist Philip Wayne Beard died Thursday, May 20.
Beard served the community of Oberlin as a councilman and mayor for a total of 37 years. He had a true compassion for people. He also was a business owner in Oberlin. He owned Phil’s Pharmacy in Oberlin where he worked as a pharmacist.
His family and friends described him as a dedicated servant to the citizens of Oberlin, both as mayor and as a pharmacist.
A lifelong resident of Oberlin, he was born August 28, 1949, to the late Cleveland and Ollie Beard.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He married his wife Regina Beard, and the two enjoyed 47 years of marriage. He was the father of two children, a daughter, Allyson McCleon, and a son, Matthew Beard.
Beard will always be remembered for his love of LSU football. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. Besides his passion for people, he enjoyed hunting and fishing when he was in good health. He loved to take rides to West Bay to ride and listen to music.
Beard’s funeral was held Tuesday, May 25, 2001, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church under the direction of Rush Funeral Home. (See his obit under obituaries on Page 2.)
Besides his wife and two children, his survivors included a son-in-law, Abraham McCleon, III of Oberlin; a daughter-in-law, Lauren Beard of Oberlin; a sister, Gene Veillon of Westlake; a brother, Cleveland Beard, Jr., and his wife, Barbara, of Elton; his four grandchildren, Christian, Kellon, Braelon and Abbigail McCleon, all of Oberlin; and a host of nieces and nephews.
