John 'Jack' Beranek

JOHN "JACK" BERANEK

Solon

John "Jack" Lyle Beranek, 95, passed away suddenly on Oct. 18, 2016, at his home in Solon. Funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted. Visitation will be at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, with the rosary recited at 3:30 p.m. Arrangements will be handled by Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Solon.

Jack was born Sept. 20, 1921, on the family farm in rural Solon to Stanley and Sylvia (Dvorak) Beranek. He graduated from Solon High School in 1939 and farmed with his father and uncle, Fred Beranek, until he entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 7, 1942. Jack was attached to the 102nd Division 9th Army and served in the European Theater. In 1944, during a skirmish with enemy troops in Germany, he received a battlefield commission to the rank of second lieutenant and assumed command of his platoon. He received the Bronze Star for gallantry, the European, African and Middle Eastern Theater of Operations Campaign ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry badge and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon returning home, he married Eileen Marie Bartlett on June 27, 1945, and they raised five children together on the family farm east of Solon.

He continued his service to country and community, joining Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 upon his return from the war. He organized and trained the post's first Color Guard, honoring hundreds of fallen soldiers over his 40 years as the Guard's commander. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Jack and Eileen enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Ariz., after their retirement, hosting their children and their families on many occasions.

Jack is survived by his children, Judy (Scott) Miltner of Lancaster, Calif., Jerry (Rita) Beranek of Rock Falls, Ill., Marty Beranek of Aurora, Colo., Sandy (Mark) Serbousek of Cedar Rapids and Randy Beranek (Theresa Schumacher) of Portland, Ore.; his grandchildren, Jaime (Brian) Cooperider of Henderson, Nev., Andy Beranek of Morrison, Ill., and Megan and Samantha Beranek of Aurora, Colo.; and great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Phillips of Morrison, Ill., and Bailey Cooperider of Henderson, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Eileen; his parents; and in-laws, Charles and Marie Bartlett.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the wonderful staff at the Solon Nursing Care Center and Solon Retirement Village for their loving care of Jack and Eileen.

Memorials may be directed to the Solon American Legion in his name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.