Michael “Mike” Lee Beilman, 68, gained his angel wings February 17, 2024 after a long, vigilant battle with laryngeal cancer. He was born on October 8, 1955, in Hays, KS to Fred (Fritz) and Leona (Hartman) Beilman. He graduated from Hays High School in 1973 and married Linda (Braun) Beilman on September 2, 1977, in Victoria, KS.
Mike and Linda formerly of Hays, moved to Eudora, KS 12 years ago after the birth of their first granddaughter. Mike was a rural mail carrier for 20 years, worked at Advantage Glass Plus and for Price Truck Line in Hays. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was an avid fan of the KU Jayhawks and KC Chiefs and traveled to many games throughout his life. For many years, he belonged to a bowling team in Ellis, KS, affectionally known as the “Swill Hogs.” The name itself says enough, but the stories, nicknames, and endless nights of fun were always something Mike talked about. Mike also played on a co-ed softball team in Hays for many years called “Icee Hot.” His favorite hobby was fishing with close friends and sharing the story about the “big one that always got away!” A man with a lot of spirit and energy, he loved going on “ag tour” adventures in the country with his friends and son-in-law on the weekends. He always said that only those on an “ag tour” will fully understand the meaning behind them. Mike had a great love for animals and was most proud of his two daughters and four granddaughters. Mike had a life changing accident in 2006 that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Years later, this injury greatly changed his active lifestyle and impacted the quality of his once very vibrant mental health.
Left to mourn him are his loving wife, Linda of Eudora; his two daughters, Leah (Andrew) Hansen of Lenexa and Bethany (Kyle) Stadalman of Eudora; his four granddaughters, Kennedy, Hadley, Lucy and Mabel Stadalman of Eudora; his siblings, David (Mary) Beilman of Johnstown, CO, Jo Ellen Haselhorst of Thornton, CO and Janet (Steve) Hammerschmidt of Fleming Island, FL; mother-in-law, Stella Braun of Hays; sisters-in-law, Brenda Meder of Hays and Doreen (Tim) Koerner of Victoria; brother-in-law, Douglas (Machell) Braun of Victoria and his faithful dog companion, Lacee, along with many extended nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Albert R. Braun, brother Kenneth Beilman, brother-in-law, Dale Haselhorst, and nephew, Michael David Beilman.
Cremation has taken place. Following private family services, a Celebration of Life reception for friends and family will be held Sunday, March 10 from 2-4pm at the Hays Arts Center, 112 E. 11th, Hays, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mike’s memory to the Humane Society of the High Plains, 2050 US Hwy 40, Hays, KS 67601.