Jack Bernritter 1934-2021

Jack Bernritter 1934-2021

John “Jack” Carl Bernritter, 87, Havensville, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born Feb. 5, 1934, the son of John Charles and Lillian Fogel Bernritter. He lived near Maple Hill until 1942, when the family moved to rural Havensville. He graduated from Havensville High School in 1952.

Mr. Bernritter served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea from 1954 to 1955 in the 3rd Combat Engineers, 24th Division as an engineer equipment mechanic. He later worked as a soil contractor, forming the Bernritter Construction Company with his father after returning from Korea. He retired in 1996.

He was a charter member of the Kansas Land Improvement Contractors Association (KLICA), served a term as president of the organization and was named Contractor of the Year in 1985. He was a past Master Mason of the Havensville and Onaga Lodge and a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a Buck’s Grove cemetery trustee for many years.

He married Betty Mae Area on Dec. 29, 1957. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Robin Kolterman and husband Dan, Havensville, and their two daughters, Keely and Katelynn, Kansas City, Mo.; a son, John Von Bernritter and wife Suzanne and their two sons Keegan Von and Kyler John, Havensville; and a sister, Shirley Barnes and husband Jim, Auburn.

Private family services will be held Friday; a public burial with military honors will follow at noon in Buck’s Grove Cemetery. Mr. Bernritter will lie in state from Tuesday through Thursday until 6 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Havensville Rural High School Association, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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