Eugene W. Eilert

Eugene William Eilert was born February 12, 1927 to Fred and Elizabeth Selting Eilert on a farm near Scottsville, Kansas. He departed this life of 80 years, 2 months, and 11days Monday afternoon, April 23, 2007 at his home near Beloit.
"Gene", as everyone knew him, lived his entire life in the Beloit area and graduated from St. John's High School.
On August 21, 1951, he was united in marriage with Joye Justine Holway at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit. This union was blessed with four children Darrell, Carl, Frank, and Kristine.
Gene faithfully served his country during the Korean Conflict. He entered the United States Army on March 7, 1951 and was honorably discharged February 24, 1953 having attained the rank of Corporal.
For many years, Gene was a clerk at the Beloit Post Office. Always friendly to the patrons, he loved children and delighted in giving them jellybeans who knew him as the Jelly-Bean® Man. He retired from thirty years of service in 1984.
A friendly, fun loving person, Gene lived life to the fullest. Besides working at the Beloit Post Office, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and of course, playing a spirited game of Pitch. He enjoyed tending his herd of livestock. His new life began on September 7, 1977 as an ardent supporter of AA and living the AA life. He was a founding member of Club 86.
He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6242 where he had served as Commander. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 921.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Sister Frederick Eilert and Helena Streit; and brothers, Brother Laurence, Leo, Francis "Ike", Al , Albert, and Eddie Eilert.
Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife Joye of the home, sons Darrell Eilert of Barnard, Carl Eilert and wife Ardyce of Beloit, Frank Eilert of Beloit; one daughter Kristine Shumway and husband Charles of Kansas City, Missouri; three sisters, Sister Redempta Eilert of Concordia, Rita Mans of Osborne, Cecilia Streit and husband Phil of Tipton; two sisters-in-law Katherine Eilert of Manhattan, Rose Eilert of Beloit; two grandsons Craig Pickel and wife Lynn, Don Pickel and wife Stephanie; three great grandchildren Jessie, Robyn and Coy Pickel; a host of many relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 27, 2007 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Larry Letourneau officiating. Interment with military rites will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Valley Hope Association Foundation, Solomon Valley Hospice or the St. John's Education Fund. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home where the Vigil/Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 P.M.