Bernard J. 'Rusty' Schilz

Bernard J. "Rusty" Schilz, 83, died Thursday (June 5, 2003) at Community Hospital of McCook.

He was born Sept. 9, 1919, at McCook, to Jacob Anthony and Nellie Edith (Spurgin) Schilz. He grew up on a farm in Red Willow County. He went to Zion Hill School and attended Parochial school in McCook.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1941. He was a tank driver in the 3rd Armored, Spearhead Division, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and Omaha Beach, and received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1945, as a Sergeant T4. He then went to Ogallala and worked with his brother, Leo, in a cattle feeding operation until he met his wife.

On Nov. 3, 1949, he married Elaine Helen Berger at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Herndon. They moved to the family farm in Red Willow County and lived there until 1960, at which time they moved to a farm in Hitchcock County until 1987, when they retired and moved to McCook.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Veteran's of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and a lifetime member of the McCook Elk's.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one brother, Joe Schilz and three infant brothers; three brothers-in-law, Alvin Heskett, Richard Nelson and Lee Hampton; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Schilz. .

Survivors include his wife, Elaine of McCook; two daughters, Judy and husband, Mike Zapp of Kearney and Janice and husband, Rex Hanna of Cambridge; four brothers, Leo Schilz and wife, Wilma of Ogallala, Bill Schilz and wife, Loretta of McCook, Gene Schilz and wife, Millie,of Nashville, Tenn., and Rich Schilz of Arvada, Colo.; three sisters, Marie Hampton of Riverside, Calif., Florence Nelson of Lakewood, Colo., and Margaret Heskett of Imperial; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, 2 p.m., at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery of McCook with full military honors.

Rosary will be tonight at 8 p.m. at the Carpenter Breland Chapel in McCook.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of arrangements.