Zachary Paul “Zach” Bealer, 33, passed away on December 21, 2022, in Geary Co., Kan. He was born on September 25, 1989, in Great Bend., Kan., to Richard “Rick” and Ruth (Schiller) Bealer.
A Kansas City, Mo., resident, Zach had recently joined the law firm of Martinez Immigration Law, focusing his practice on family-based and humanitarian visas and representing clients in immigration court. He was a 2008 graduate from Great Bend High School, a 2012 graduate with Distinctions from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, and a 2021 graduate from Washburn University School of Law with Dean’s List Honors and as a recipient of the Irvine E. Ungerman Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice as a student intern in the Family Justice and Immigration Clinic. While in law school, Zach held various positions as a small group leader, a research assistant, a teaching assistant, was selected as a Student Fellow for the Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps, and was a former Notes Editor for the Washburn Law Journal.
Between receiving his collegiate degrees, Zach served as a medical interpreter in Guatemala and as an AmeriCorps member in Lawrence, Kan. Three years of this time was spent in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, becoming fluent in Spanish and immersed in the culture, fueling his passion and goal to “interact with immigrants, listen to their stories, and fight for the rights of those who often face an uphill battle”.
Survivors include his mother, Ruth Bealer and significant other, John Makings, of Great Bend; his father, Rick Bealer and significant other, Donna Becker, of Great Bend; a sister, Nicole (Billy) Jacks of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two nieces, Anna and Rachel Jacks; an uncle and aunt, Paul and Lynn Schiller of Great Bend, their children Lisa Gwin, Jenni Bauer and their families, Jeremy, McKenzie and Cole Gwin, and Trent, Weston and Tyson Bauer; cousin, Loretta Kirmer; an aunt Sherry Holloway of North Carolina, her children, Adam Holloway, Whitney Meyers, Courtney Timony, Brandon Seek. Significant other, Bao Vincent Ho of Wichita, Kan.; and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his twin brother, Ryan; his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Joyce Schiller; and paternal grandparents, Raymond and Helen Bealer.
Visitation will take place from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at First Christian Church with Pastor Dwight Dozier presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North.
Memorials have been designated to the Martinez Immigration Empowerment Fund (or donate through, https://martinezimmigration.com/donations/), in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.