Archie Leonard Beller
Obituary
Archie Leonard Beller, 103, died on Tuesday (Sept. 13, 2011)
at Halstead Health and Rehabilitation Center in Halstead.
He was born on May 16, 1908 in Athol to Charles L. and
Margaret Rebecca (Comstock) Beller. He married Livona Besta "Jo"
Moore on Nov. 10, 1928, in Phillipsburg. She died on March 6, 2002.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, a 50-year
member of BPO Elks Lodge No. 1127, and a past board member of the Great Bend
Petroleum Club, all of Great Bend. He loved fishing, old-time music and
gardening.
Starting at the age of 18, he worked in road and bridge
construction while working on his engineering degree from the American School
of Chicago through correspondence courses. He earned his civil engineering
degree and for the next 50 years, except during World War II, was a state
engineer for the sixth division, designing and building bridges.
During World War II, he worked under the Army Corps of
Engineers and supervised the construction of airfields and tested existing
landing strips for the new B-29 bombers. He owned and operated A.L. Beller
Construction, which was based in Great Bend.
He is survived by his daughter, Margaret Kraisinger and
husband, Gary, of Halstead; three grandchildren, Kurt Kraisinger and wife,
Jamie, of Overland Park, Eric Kraisinger and wife, Angel, of Newton, and Kristi
Stewart of Hutchinson; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray E. Beller and
Clyde P. Beller.
A private family memorial service will be conducted at a
later date. Inurnment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend.
Condolences may be sent and a notice viewed at
www.bryantfh.net. Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend.
