Phillips County resident, Paul R. "PR" Beyerlein, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 93.

He was born March 21, 1922, in Loveland, Colorado, the son of Paul John "PJ" & Martha (Bach) Beyerlein. He graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1940. In 1942 he joined the United States Army, serving during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Following his military discharge he returned to Phillips County to the family farm, and on April 26, 1958, he was united in marriage to Vera M. Merklein in Stuttgart, Kansas.

Cattle and ranching were PR's life. He was proud of his herd's bloodline and the family brand, as both have remained the same throughout four generations. He managed every aspect of the herd, from calving season through the feedlot and finally to the dinner table. With his never failing work ethic, he continued working and managing cattle until the past few weeks.

Farming was secondary to his cattle, but with wise conservation practices and his blood, sweat & tears, he built a legacy that will continue for future generations.

The crops' yield was secondary due to having a sufficient amount to feed his cattle for the year. He didn't care if the crop produced 10 bushels or 100 bushels, as long as he had enough feed for the cattle.

PR also had a competitive side; he went almost every year to the Oakley Corn Husking Contest. Many times he won at state competitions and then advanced to the national level. In 1987 he placed 3rd overall at the state level.

The man was always in a hurry, but always on his own time frame. He still directed his daughter and granddaughters in making sure they were always on "the right side of a dirt road going up a hill", even in the last month of his life.

If we were looking for PR in the last few years of his life, he could be found dozing under a shade tree in his pickup. He often stopped to take a 5-minute snooze with his dog.

His favorite pastime was his antiques and attending farm & land auctions. He always wanted to know what items sold for. He also studied sale bills and listened to the markets on the radio.

Family was important to PR as well. He really enjoyed taking his granddaughters around the farm, answering their questions and showing them how the operation worked.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Steve Holzwarth; and a sister, Erna Beyerlein.

Survivors include his wife, Vera, of the home; daughter, Lisa Holzwarth of St. Francis, KS; son, Danny Beyerlein & wife, Pam, of rural Phillipsburg; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stuttgart, KS with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery.

Mr. Beyerlein will lie in-state on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 5-9 p.m. and again Thursday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.