Herman Bearden was born in Marion, on June 27, 1907, the son of Issac Noah and Sula (Moore) Bearden. He was an active builder, banker and businessman.
In the 1910 census, Herman was age 3 and living with his parents, three brothers and two sisters at the family home located at 1203 N. State Street. Herman’s father listed himself as a house carpenter.
As a young boy at the age of 12, Herman entered the construction business as a helper to his father. He was a 1924 graduate of Marion Township High School.
After graduation Herman, with his brother, Oran, worked under the direction of their father until they both heard about an earthquake and destruction at Mexicali, Mexico. Herman and his brother went to Mexico helping the people to rebuild finally ending up in Amarillo, Texas, and it was there they both branched out for themselves, and took a contract to build a house.
Late in 1926 they both found themselves in St. Louis rebuilding structures stricken by a tornado and continued there for the next five years.
Herman was united in marriage to Lora M. Sanson, on Oct. 3, 1926, in Gaston, Ind. Together they shared over 71 years of marriage until her death came on Oct. 24, 1997.
In the early 1930’s Herman came “back to Marion.” He began working for Holmes Construction Company of Marion and later for Mitchell Construction Company of Harrisburg.
By 1935, Herman and Lora had purchased a home at 708 S. Bentley Street. They are listed here in the 1940 census. He listed his occupation as self-employed carpenter and valued the home at $1,000. The couple was in their early thirties and had two children, Jack aged 11 and Shirley age 4.
It was in 1949 that Herman and his son Jack formed the Bearden Construction Company of Marion. The company concentrated on building large commercial buildings from Decatur to Cairo.
The company under the direction of Herman and his son built churches, schools, hospitals, housing projects and banks throughout Southern Illinois.
After 52 years in the construction field Herman sold his interest in Bearden Construction to his son Jack, in 1975.
Some of his other affiliations during his lifetime have included being a longtime member of Warder Street Baptist Church of Marion.
He was an organizer of the Bank of Egypt, now Banterra Bank, in November of 1955, and for 18 months beginning in January of 1965, he served as bank president. Humbly he accepted the presidency as a temporary position and relinquished it voluntarily when an agreement for his successor was reached.
While serving as President of the bank in 1965, the couple lived at 514 S. Madison St. and from around 1970 to 1990 were living at 1403 W. Hendrickson St.
Since 1955, he had served on the bank board of directors until he reached the age of 70. The board then continued his name on it records as their first director emeritus.
Some of the other organizations he was involved with during his lifetime were being an organizer and director of Central Technology Inc. of Herrin, Atlas Management Company and Lincoln Heritage Insurance Company of Mt. Vernon.
He served on the County Public Building Commission and served as a director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. He was an organizer of Community Savings and Loan Association of Marion.
He and his wife were both involved with the Eastern Star of Marion, where he served as Worthy Patron in 1962. Mr. Bearden was past treasure of the Fellowship Masonic Lodge No. 89 A.F. & A.M. of Marion and a former member of the Marion Rotary Club.
A humble man as he was, and as he got up in years he was asked by many about looking back upon his busy life as a retired builder, banker and community and civic leader, and he attributed his success all to luck. “I’ve just been in the right place and at the right time,” and said “I’ve just worked from day to day without planning far ahead.”
Herman Bearden, age 97, of Marion, passed away at 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, in Heartland Regional Medical Center of Marion.
With his passing he left behind his son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Marion Bearden of Marion; daughter, Shirley Bearden of the Lake of Egypt, Creal Springs; three granddaughters and two grandsons-in-law, Marsha and Artie McReaken of the Lake of Egypt, Marion, Jackie and Allen Jones of Marion and Tracy Zoeller of Marion; step granddaughter, Michelle Bartlett and her , husband, Dan, of Marco Island, Fla., several great grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other family members; special caregivers, Marlene, Pauline, Carol, Renee, Donna and Frances along with many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Boarder in 1993; three brothers Hosea, Plezy and Oran Bearden and two sisters, Gail Zolot and Hazel Bearden who died at 3 years of age.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Sunday, at Wilson McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, with Gordon Lambert presiding. Interment followed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
(Data extracted from the Marion Daily Republican Obituary, June 2005; Federal Census Records; Marion City Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on July 28, 2013)