Donald E. "Donnie" Beard, 67, passed away at 10:58 a.m. on his 50th wedding anniversary, Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

 He was born on April 13, 1941 in St. Louis, the son of Wilford and Clara (Tolle) Beard.

 He married the former Donna Geissert on March 11, 1959 in Godfrey. She survives.

 He was a machinist at Owens Illinois for 43 years before retiring in 2001. He was a car enthusiast who loved to restore old cars and was an avid drag racer in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a member of the F.B.I. (Fat Boys of Illinois) and was an expert woodcrafter.

(excerpt of obituary)