The citizens of our community were shocked Saturday when the report was passed around that Christian John Beitler, one of the pioneers of this part of the county, had suddenly passed away at his home in St. John early that morning. His present wife, Annie, whom he had married in 1937, was the only one with him at the time of his death. He was 82 years, 5 months and 8 days of age. While his health had not been the best the past few months, he was able to be up and around and was met on the streets daily by his many friends, some of whom had talked to him the day before. He died the morning of the Fourth of July.

He arrived in Stafford County in March, 1877, with his parents, who homesteaded what is now known as the Henry Batchman farm, just north of St. John. The Beitlers had one of the best groves of cottonwood trees of any of the early settlers.

After his marriage in 1885, he farmed and made his home a mile north of his old home on what is now known as the Arthur Francis farm. While living on this farm, Chris served many years as trustee of St. John township. He sold this farm in 1913 and moved to Comanche County where his wife, Mary Ida (Wasson) Beitler died in 1928, after which, for several years, he made his home with his children. Funeral services were conducted from the Barber Funeral Home, Tuesday afternoon, July 7th, 1942, Fred R. Seeley bringing the message to the family and friends.

Burial was in Fairview Cemetery beside his father.

Christian John Beitler was born January 26, 1860, in Woodington, Darke County, Ohio, and died at his home in St. John, Kansas, July 4, 1942, being at the time of his death, aged 82 years, 5 months and 8 days.

He moved with his parents, Jacob and Catherine Anna Beitler, to Wilson County, Kansas, in 1865. The family moved "out west" from Wilson County to Stafford County, Kansas, in 1877 and homesteaded what is known as the Henry Batchman home. He received his education in the Wilson County schools.

In 1885 he was married to Mary Ida Wasson, also of St. John. They made their home in the St. John community until the year of 1913, when they moved from their farm, now known as the Arthur Francis home, north of St. John to Coldwater, Kansas.

To this union were born, four children: Roy of Strasburg, Colorado; Paul of Coldwater, Kansas; Fred of Pozo, California; and Tacy of Coldwater, Kansas.

His wife, Mary Ida Beitler, preceded him in death fourteen years, passing away April 2nd, 1928, at the home in Coldwater, Kansas. For a period of nine years he made his home with his children.

On December 10th, 1937, Christian Beitler and Annie E. Winebright were married, and it was in their home in St. John, that Mr. Beitler died Saturday morning at the advanced age of more than eighty-two years.

He leaves to mourn his passing, a sister, Mrs. Annie Kuske; a brother, Jacob W. Beitler, and his widow of St. John, Kansas; the four children mentioned above; thirteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren and a large number of nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above obituary!

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This page was last updated 17 Jan 2004.