Christopher M. Beeler

Christopher M. Beeler

December 20, 1952 – June 20, 2025

Christopher Mack Beeler, 72, of Bellevue, NE, passed away peacefully at his home on June 20th, 2025, surrounded by his wife Cathy, and lifelong friend Jimmy Judd.  Chris filled his life with a deep faith, abounding love, and much laughter.

He was born on December 20th, 1952, to Charles and Marilee Beeler. He spent his entire childhood in the small town of Lancaster, MO, where he made many wonderful, long-lasting friendships. He loved growing up in a small town, and he would often say, “Growing up, I never sensed what I missed. I had a bike, a ball and a glove – what more do you need?“

Chris graduated from Schulyer County R-1 High School in 1970. He pursued a short baseball career at Memphis State University before transferring to the Elkins Institute of Broadcasting. At the age of 17, he obtained his first job in television at KTVO in Kirksville, MO. His brilliant career took him to WRAU in Peoria, IL where his love of sports and broadcasting flourished as he traveled with the University of Bradley basketball team, directing and producing live broadcasts of ballgames, then onto KEZI in Eugene, OR, traveling the west coast with the University of Oregon basketball team. He returned to KTVO in 1980 as the Production Manager. His humor caught the eye of young co-worker Cathy Van Hoecke. They were engaged after dating for 30 days and married 8 months later in May 1982.

Their combined love of broadcasting brought them to Omaha, NE, in 1986, where Chris’s extraordinary creative talents thrived at a new television station, KPTM. Chris enjoyed several distinguished marketing accomplishments, including multiple national and international Emmys, Tellys, and Promax awards. His skills and creativity propelled him to the corporate level, where he served as the Creative Director for Pappas Telecasting, overseeing more than 30 stations across 11 states. He devoted 42 years of his life to the art he loved, stating, “Me without broadcasting would be like a fish without water.”

Of all his titles, though, his favorite was “Dad” and “Poppy.” He was a loving, devoted father to his children, Seth and Megan, passing on to them his creativity and sense of humor. Becoming a grandfather brought him even deeper joy, he cherished every moment spent with his grandchildren and wore the title of “Poppy” with immense pride.

He converted to Catholicism in 2006 and developed a passion for serving neighbors in need through the Society of St. Vincent De Paul.  The last 10 years of his life, he served as President of St. Frances Cabrini’s SVdP conference, also serving on the Omaha district SVdP board. He helped transform countless lives through his work with the Alpha program, RCIA, and delivering communion to the homebound. Chris was known as the “church hugger”, dubbed that by an elderly blind woman he drove to weekday mass. He was quick to extend his arms with a warm embrace, a prayer or a joke to all he encountered.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marilee Beeler; and is survived by his wife, Cathy; son, Seth Beeler (Taber) of Las Vegas, NV, daughter, Megan Beeler of Omaha, NE; sister, Cindy Beeler of Omaha, NE, brother, Scott Beeler of Lancaster, MO; grandchildren: Simon Beeler, Ruby Beeler-Streff, Peyton Beeler-Streff, Aiden Riley and Lucille Beeler-Riley; and the many family, friends and countless people whose lives he changed.

Chris was a gift to everyone he met and continues to gift us with words and thoughts through countless handwritten notebooks, leaving us with the following: 

“I came, I gave, I loved.”

VISITATION: Tuesday, July 1st, 2025,  4:00-7:00 PM with a VIGIL SERVICE to follow at 7:00 PM at St. Frances Cabrini Church at 10th and William Streets in Omaha, Nebraska, 68108.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, July 2nd at 10:00 AM, at St. Frances Cabrini.

ENTOMBMENT: Holy Angels Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to The St. Frances Cabrini Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1248 10th St., Omaha, NE 68108.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com