Earl M Beeler

A Celebration of Life Service for Earl M. Beeler will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Oxford, Nebraska on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Eldon Fablinger and Pastor Keith Theobold, officiating. Interment will be held in the Union Cemetery near Hollinger, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Oxford American Legion Post #219 in conjunction with the United States Army National Guard Military Honors Team.


Earl Manley Beeler, 92 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of rural Oxford, Nebraska) passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Earl was born September 30, 1920 on a farm north of Beaver City in Furnas County, Nebraska, the third of eight children born to Clark O. and Lucy (Manley) Beeler. He attended grade school at several country schools in Phelps and Harlan Counties and then graduated from Beaver City High School with the class of 1938. Following his education, Earl moved to California. On April 13, 1942 he was inducted into the United States Army, serving this country during WW II in Europe and Africa until his honorable discharge on November 29, 1945.

Earl returned home to Nebraska following his service to his country and on April 20, 1947 he was united in marriage to Elsie "Dorothy" Stevens at Grant, Nebraska. The couple resided at Grant, Nebraska and Oral, South Dakota prior to settling on the farm west of Oxford. Later in years they made their home at Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege until their passing.

Earl engaged in farming and ranching in the rural Oxford area. His true passion was being a cattleman; he truly farmed on the side to have feed for his cattle. On August 18, 2007 he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy.

Earl thoroughly enjoyed attending high school sporting events and for many years he volunteered on the "Chain Gang" at the Oxford High School Football games. He was a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church, where he sang in the church choir for many years. Earl also served on the Furnas County Fair Board, and remained active with the Furnas County Fair and the Nebraska State Fair for many years. He was a 4-H Leader, and enjoyed watching young people show livestock in both 4-H and FFA.

Besides his wife, Dorothy, he was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Eldon Beeler at a young age; two sisters: Leta Beth Howard and her husband, Wendel and Metta Theobald and her husband, John; brothers-in-law: Harvey Dahlgren, Basil Costerison, Jack Dixon, and Kenneth Stevens, Harold Stevens and Glen Stevens and his wife, Freida.

Earl leaves to mourn his passing his daughters: Dotty Jo Patterson and her husband, Lyle of Holdrege, and Peggy Ouellette and her husband, Jim of rural Oxford; son, Rex Beeler of Kearney, Nebraska; four grandsons: Saun Patterson and his wife, Sheila of Holdrege, Shane Patterson and his wife, Elizabeth of Bertrand, Nebraska, Quinton Gorsuch and his wife, Shannon of McPherson, Kansas, and Quincy Gorsuch of Holdrege;ten great-grandchildren: Morgan, Taylor, Taryn, and Megan Patterson, Amanda, Karley, Landon and Caleb Patterson, Macy and Zander Gorsuch; three sisters: Donna Eveland and her husband, Paul of Ames, Nebraska, Lillie Ann Dahlgren of Holdrege, and Betty Johnson and her husband, Dave of San Diego, California; and one brother, Kenneth Beeler and his wife, Mary Ann of San Diego; sister-in-law, Virginia Stevens of Denver, Colorado and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford. The casket will be closed at the church.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.