Elton Dale Beltz, 82, died September 4, 2011 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City. He was born on October 29, 1928 in Ness County the son of Herman R. and Zena Margaret (Wilkens) Beltz.

Elton spent his childhood in Hodgeman County and graduated from Jetmore High School. He married Donnie Lappin on June 10, 1951 in Jetmore. Mr. Beltz was most recently a Kiowa County rancher and cattleman. Previously he had worked in oil field trucking, was a salesman for Ford Lincoln Mercury in Hugoton, owned Argus Hotel and Coffee Shop in Hugoton, and worked for Columbian Carbon Inc. of Hickock.

He was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church of Greensburg where he served as an elder.

Mr. Beltz is survived by his wife, Donnie (Lappin) Beltz of Greensburg; two sons, Dale R. Beltz and wife Janine of Hugoton and Chris L. Beltz and wife Margaret of Hugoton; two sisters, Phyllis Meadows of Dodge City and Roberta Maier of Dodge City; six grandsons and one granddaughter. Elton was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Norman Beltz; and one son, Johnny Wayne Beltz.

Funeral service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Greensburg on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM with Merlyn Lohrke presiding. Burial will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at Hugoton Cemetery in Hugoton. There will be no public visitation.. Memorials are suggested to Peace Lutheran Church of Greensburg in care of Swaim Funeral Home – 1901 Sixth Avenue – Dodge City, KS 67801. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.