Elaine Katherine Beard , 94, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 3:45 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at Parkview Whitley Hospital.

Born on July 27, 1931, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Merritt W. and Ruth (Growcock) Crowell. Growing up in Jefferson Twp., Whitley County, she graduated from Jefferson Center School in 1949.

On May 26, 1950, she married Marion L. Beard.  They made their home in Jefferson Twp., raising three children.  Elaine and Marion enjoyed Saturday night ballroom dancing with close friends and attending Komet hockey games.  In 2002, the couple moved to Columbia City.  Marion died on January 5, 2006.

In addition to raising the children, Elaine worked as the office manager for Northeastern Indiana REMC, retiring in 1993 with 24 years of service.

Through the years, she participated in the women's afternoon bowling league at Cook Lanes and the Crooked Lake Women's Golf League. She enjoyed sewing, making clothing, and blankets for the family.  She grew an annual vegetable garden and maintained the flower beds that adorned her property.  An accomplished baker, she crafted wedding and birthday cakes for family and friends.  The grandkids enjoyed her delicious cookies, often searching for her hidden freezer stash.  She had a fondness for cats and kept many over the years.  In her senior years, she liked playing BINGO and always enjoyed a good card game.  Elaine was introduced to Jack Rager by mutual friends, and they went on to share many years of loving companionship, spending their time traveling, dining, and enjoying daily life together.

Elaine was a member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church, the Twilight Homemakers Club, and the American Business Women's Association.

Surviving are her children, Brian Beard of Furman, S.C., Kim (Brad) Nelson, and Brent (Ladonna) Beard, both of Columbia City; grandchildren, Ty (Charity) Tison, Zach (Michelle) Beard, Trent (Lauren Ellis) Nelson, Karissa (Drew) Kreider, Caitlin Nelson, and Jacob (Lyndsey) Beard; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a brother, Dean L. Crowell, a sister, Rosemary Wheeler, and a beloved daughter-in-law, Trisha (Brian) Beard.

Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (March 25th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (March 26th) at the funeral home, officiated by a family friend, Pastor David Wagner of Collamer Christian Church.  Burial will follow at the South Park Cemetery.

Memorials in Elaine's honor are to the Humane Society of Whitley County or the Collamer Christian Church.