Junior B. "Zeke" Beranek

Zeke Beranek (Junior B. Beranek), 93, of Jacksonville, IL, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at his home. He was born on February 12, 1932, in North Bend, NE, the son of Frank and Edna (Schultz) Beranek. After graduation from high school, he entered the U.S. Navy. Boot Camp in San Diega, CA, and graduated from the Class A Radio School. The majority of his service was on the U.S.S. Elkhorn, AOG-7. Part of that service was off the West Coast of Korea during the Korean War. Zeke was cleared to break codes in the code room of the U.S.S. Elkhorn. He was transferred to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands after security clearance by the Secret Service and the FBI. While at Eniwetok Atoll, Operation Ivy was conducted. This consisted of the first thermonuclear detonation (a hydrogen bomb/device) known as "Shot Mike," as well as the first air drop-contact detonation of an Atomic Bomb known as "Shot Baker." After an honorable discharge, Zeke worked one year in the dorms at the Missouri School for the Deaf, and also worked in the dorms at both the Nebraska School for the Deaf, and the Iowa School for the Deaf. He graduated from the University of Omaha, receiving a BS in Education. After a year at Clarke in Northampton, MA, where he received certification to teach the deaf, Zeke began a 32-year long career of teaching at the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) in Jacksonville. He also received an MA in Education from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. Serving as an Assistant Football Coach, ISD won the 1969 National Deaf Championship. Zeke was elected to the Illinois School for the Deaf Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2013. He also spent 47 years as a tax preparer for H&R Block. Thirty years was served as a Democrat Precinct Committeeman, of which ten years was spent as a board member serving as Treasurer. Ten years was also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Atomic Veterans, a National Veterans Organization, serving 6 years as Treasurer. He was a Life Member of both the DAV and the NAAV. Zeke is survived by his sons, Daniel and Theodore Beranek; grandchildren, Aunna and Jonah Beranek, and Joshua and Jacob Hogan; and daughter-in-law, Debra Gabhart. He was preceded by his parents and his wife, Elizabeth M. Peterson. There will be a visitation on Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, with a service at 10:30 AM on Friday, both at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Burial will follow the service on Friday at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Junior B. "Zeke" Beranek, please click here to visit our sympathy store.