Emil Joseph Beard, age 13, of Sardis, went to be with Jesus on Friday, July 15, 2022, following a traumatic accident while working outside as he loved to do.
He was born June 28, 2009, to Seth and Faith (Maibach) Beard and three excited sisters. He attended the Apostolic Christian Church.
Emil lived life joyfully to the fullest, jumping out of bed early to start his day. He worked and played hard, often spontaneously whistling or singing praises to Jesus, whom he loved, while working or in the shower. Emil loved the outdoors and everything in it. He passionately enjoyed snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, riding dirt bikes and anything else with wheels, hunting, fishing, doing back flips, and swimming laps with his dad. He loved doing almost anything with his dad, working in the barn, woodshop, and making firewood, they baked breakfast together every Sunday morning. It gave him such pleasure to fix things for his mom and help her with special tasks. He and his sisters and buddies had countless special moments together, always enhanced by his easy-going and cheerful personality.
Survivors include his parents; three sisters, Livi Beard, of Toledo, Greta Beard, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Mara Beard, of the home; paternal grandparents, Edward and Denise Beard, of Sardis, maternal grandparents, Bruce and Lois Maibach, of Sterling, paternal great-grandma, Kelly Beard, of Mansfield; 14 aunts and uncles; 29 cousins; his much-loved church family; friends, teachers, and staff at River Elementary; and his soccer teammates.
The family received friends Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Grisell Funeral Home & Crematory, 751 Third Street, New Martinsville, West Virginia. Funeral service was held Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Apostolic Christian Church, 49076 St. Rt. 255, Sardis.
Interment followed at Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery, Sardis.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospital Lumiere in Haiti, a beautiful country where Emil had hoped to visit (harvestcall.org/ hospital-lumiere) or House of Samuel (houseofsamuel.com) whose children brought him so much joy.
Sympathy expressions may be left at grisellfuneralhomes.com.
