Paul C. Beard Jr.

Paul C. Beard Jr., 85, of Montoursville, passed away peacefully at his home on November 7, 2026.

He was born in Killinger, PA, Dauphin County, on July 16, 1941, a son of the late Paul C. Beard and Martha (Campbell) Beard.

Paul graduated in 1959 from Millersburg High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Mansfield State College in 1964 and an Industrial Arts degree from Millersville State College in 1966. He began his teaching career in 1965 at Loyalsock Twp. School District, teaching adult classes in woodworking. He taught middle school and high school industrial arts, which included high school drafting, metal work, and woodworking. Paul also served as assistant principal for several years.

In addition to his career in education, Paul was always looking for barn beams, logs, and stone for Architectural Restorations, a business he founded. For Paul, it was more of a passion than a business that began in the front yard of his parents’ farm in Killinger, PA. As an adult, he crafted high-end colonial homes across the state of Pennsylvania. His legacy was not found in the pages of books, but scattered around the countryside. His personal project was Spring Garden Mills in Loyalsock Township. Each house was designed and built by Paul and a handful of men.

Paul was never one to pass up an old farm sale, a pile of stone, or a broken barn with logs. He was a man of his word who saw the world through the eyes of an 18th-century man. He sealed deals with a handshake, and his word was pure, honest, and meant something. His crowning glory was the designing and building of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Loyalsock Township, a Southern Carpathian style of architecture using hand-hewn logs and three cupolas. Along with his priest, Father Dan, and a handful of volunteers, he completed the church in 1988, and several years later, the social hall was completed. It was in Holy Cross Church that he married Judith Lazorchak and, in following years, welcomed his namesake, Paul Beard III (Kelsey); his daughter, Tatiana Marie Beard; and grandsons, Carson and Cooper Beard.

Paul was predeceased by his mother, Martha C. Beard; his father, Paul C. Beard; a baby brother, Billy Beard; and a half-brother, Tom Costello. He is survived by two sisters, Shirley Reigel and Peggy Snyder (Bob), in addition to Paula Quinn and Jenny DelaCruz.

The family will receive family and friends at the church on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 4 to 6, with a service at 6 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Holy Cross Orthodox Church, 1725 Holy Cross Lane, Williamsport, PA 17701, with the Very Rev. Fr. Seraphim Reynolds officiating.

Burial will be in St. David’s Reformed Church Cemetery in Dauphin and will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions in Paul’s name may be made to Holy Cross Orthodox Church.

To share a memory or sign an online register book, please visit www.crousefuneralhome.com.