Roy F. Fakler, 95, of Beatrice, NE, died Friday morning, January 23, 2026, at his home. He was born on October 3, 1930, at Barneston, NE, to Glenn and Delma (Seat) Fakler. Roy grew up on a farm north of Marysville, KS, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1948. Although Roy remembered his time on the farm fondly, he had a talent for repair, and at the urging of an older cousin that was an electrical engineer decided to attend DeForest Electronics School in Chicago. After graduating from electronics school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954. Roy served his country in the Korean War aboard the USS Essex repairing radio and radar systems in various aircraft. After the war, Roy lived in California for several years where he and a partner owned and operated several television and radio repair shops. He moved back to his home state of Kansas in 1963, working for Montgomery Ward and then Sears Roebuck. On February 17, 1967, he married his sweetheart Karen Skeels. He and Karen lived in Beatrice NE, then Arkansas City, KS, and Concordia, KS, where they started their own business, R.F. Fakler Company. The company initially sold wood-burning stoves and fireplaces but eventually evolved into a contract sales business, dealing mostly with government agencies. After selling his business, Roy and Karen returned to Beatrice in 2001. He was a member of both the American Legion and VFW. Roy loved the Lord and attended Christ Community Church of Beatrice and Heartland Community Church of Filley.
Survivors include his children, Scott (Thuy) Fakler of Springfield, VA, Kelly (Jerry) Alderson of Sedgwick, KS, Jeannie Shawn deLadurantaye of Spartanburg, SC, and Michael (Jodi) Fakler of Beatrice; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Joe (Ruth) Fakler of Concordia, KS; sister, Shirley Nelson of Springfield, MO; many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, who died on October 16, 2020; parents, Glenn and Delma Fakler; infant sister, Karen Sue Fakler; sister, Iva Jean Scheele; brother, Lyle (Donna Jean) Fakler; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Lydia Mooberry Skeels; brothers-in-law, Don Nelson, Kenneth (Rosie) Skeels and Kenton Skeels.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Christ Community Church of Beatrice, with Pastor Dan Martin officiating. Burial will be at 9:30 A.M. on Friday at the Marysville Cemetery in Marysville, KS, with military rites. The body will lie in state at Fox Funeral Home on Thursday from noon until 8:00 P.M. A memorial has been established to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.foxfuneralhome.net, arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home Cremation Services of Beatrice.
