John "Jack" Lyle Beranek, 95, passed away suddenly on October 18, 2016 at his home in Solon.  Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. 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 4:00-7:00 pm on Monday, with the Rosary recited at 3:30 pm.  Arrangements will be handled by Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Solon.

Jack was born on September 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 November 7, 1942.   Jack was attached to the 102nd Division 9th Army and served in the European Theatre.  In 1944, during a skirmish with enemy troops in Germany, he received a battlefield commission to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and assumed command of his platoon.  He received the Bronze Star for Gallantry, the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations Campaign ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantry badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.  Upon return 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 life-long member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

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

Jack is survived by his children Judy (Scott) Miltner of Lancaster, California; Jerry (Rita) Beranek of Rock Falls, Illinois; Marty Beranek of Aurora, Colorado; Sandy (Mark) Serbousek of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Randy Beranek (Theresa Schumacher) of Portland, Oregon; his grandchildren Jaime (Brian) Cooperider of Henderson, Nevada, Andy Beranek of Morrison, Illinois, Megan and Samantha Beranek of Aurora, Colorado; and great-grandchildren Mackenzie Phillips of Morrison, Illinois and Bailey Cooperider of Henderson, Nevada.  He was preceded in death 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.