Jack Loren Beightel, 80, of Holton, KS passed away Sunday November 8, 2015 surrounded by his family, at Stormont Vail Hospital, after a long illness. He was born December 23, 1934 in Holton, KS the son of Jess and Edith (Jackson) Beightel.

Jack graduated from Holton High School in 1953 and had attended Kansas State University for 2 years. He joined the Kansas National Guard and was a member of the first unit in Holton; serving for 8 years. Jack worked for Anderson Construction and DX Service Station both in Holton. He later farmed with his grandfather, father and eventually owned and operated his own farm until retirement in 2009.

Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served on several committees. He was instrumental in the formation of the Eagle Aerie Club in Holton. He was past president of Jackson Farmers and Jackson County Farm Bureau Assoc. His passion was being part of the Holton High School Football Chain Gang for over 45 years.


On November 29, 1959 he married Karen Shell in Atchison. She survives of the home. Other survivors include 4 daughters, Terri Keitel (Ward) of Holton, Dina Rankin (David) of Ellsworth, Gail Wood (Kelly) of Muscotah and Joni Woltje (Chris) of Netawaka; 10 grandchildren, Matt and Shane Torrey, Josh and Laura Rankin, Emily and Jacob Wood, Mason and Bailey Hamilton and Jesse and Adam Woltje; a great-granddaughter, Claire Torrey; a brother, William "Bill" Beightel (Brenda) of Topeka; mother-in-law, Jo M. Shell of Atchison; brother-in-law, Bill Shell (Rhonda) of Atchison and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Holton. Inurnment will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Cardiac Rehab or First United Methodist Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.