ALVIN BEARDEN

Alvin Eugene Bearden (“Al”), beloved grandfather to all, of LaBelle, Mo., crossed the veil on November 4, 2024 in Hannibal Regional Hospital, Hannibal, Mo.  
A man of few words but deep love, a steady presence that shaped the lives of his family with quiet strength and unwavering support. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, patience and the simple joy of being there for those he loved. 
It is rare for there to be a man that no other soul can find a negative word to say about and was loved by all who crossed his path. He was that man. 
He was born September 29, 1935, in Malin, Oreg., the son of William Henry and Bessie Muriel Newton. Bearden, was a member of the Cherokee tribe, and spent his youth on a farm in California before joining the Navy in 1956. 
He was united in marriage to Elaine Agnes (“Bobbie”) Hillen on March 10, 1963 and she preceded him in death on June 25, 2015. Al was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Cecil, Bill and James Bearden, two granddaughters, Katerina Bearden and Stacey Cohen, two sisters-in-laws, Etta Bearden and Sissy Bearden.  
Surviving are two daughters, Teresa Annette Fox of Lamar, Mo., and Denise Marie Cohen of St. Peters, Mo., one brother Ronald Bearden of California, two sisters, Glenda Bearden of California, and Sandy (David) Robinson of Oregon, three grandchildren William Henry Cohen, Heather (Josh) Magruder, and Ronnie D. Fox III, four great grandchildren Ryan Murry, Russell, Riley, and Remi Magruder. Also surviving is honorary granddaughter Lucinda (“Luci”) Clark Cramsey (Adam) and her two children Fiona Clark and Henry Cramsey. A sister-in-law Karen Bearden of Olka., and several nieces and nephews.
Al considered it an honor & a privilege to serve his country in the Navy which he did with distinction between 1956 and 1986. He had many overseas assignments & duty stations and received the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service  Ribbon. He retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Class.
After his retirement from the military, he & and his wife moved to the Deer Ridge area of LaBelle in 1987 where he was given the title, he loved the most - Grandpa and would devote the rest of his life to his wife and family.  After his wife passed he lived his remaining years with Luci & her children traveling the world to places like Austria, France, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Mexico, Germany & Switzerland.  
He was active & quick witted until the very last of his days, regularly driving to see his daughters & grandchildren as well as his family all over the country. He was fluent in many languages including Mandarin, Vietnamese, Japanese, and quiet sarcasm but his preferred language of communication was silence. It wasn’t what he said but what he didn’t say that gave him such a presence.  He enjoyed reading, classical music, board games & felt it was a grandfather’s prerogative to spoil grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all that
knew him. 
Al’s wishes were to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 24, 2024, in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Mo. Officiating the services will be Donnie Fifer.
Visitation will begin 1 hour before services.   Burial will be in the LaBelle Cemetery.   Full Military Honors will be conducted at the funeral service by Missouri Funeral Honors Team and Lewistown American Legion Post joined by honored guests from the United States Special Operations Forces community. 
Memorials are suggested to the Honor Flight Network.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO.