DeWayne Alfred 'Shad' Caress

Aug. 11, 1924 - April 28, 2009

STRATTON -- DeWayne Alfred "Shad" Caress was born Aug. 11, 1924, in Holbrook to Nelley Mae Caress and James Patrick McByron. He departed this world April 28, 2009, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman at the age of 84.

Shad was reared by his grandparents, Simon and Synthia Caress and attended elementary and high school in Holbrook. He was a graduate of Holbrook High School.

In 1943, Shad volunteered to serve his country in the U.S. Navy and received a tour of duty in the South Pacific. He received his honorable discharge in 1946.

In May of 1952, Shad married Berenice Reiman at Beaver City. Three children were born to this union, Robert "Bob" DeWayne, Roxi Marie and Robin Patrick. The family resided in McCook, Max and Benkelman where Shad was employed at McDonald's IGA and later at Krotter Sailors Lumberyard in Benkelman.

In 1966, the family moved to Leadville, Colo., where Shad was the manager at Super Foods and later a department head at Safeway, from which he retired. He and Berenice retired to Stratton in 1990.

Shad was a people person. He enjoyed working and visiting, always ready to laugh and joke. Activities that he found fun and relaxing included playing town team basketball, fishing, football and reading the newspaper. He was a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather and an understanding confidant.

Shad was a devout Catholic, always faithful to attending Mass, studying the Bible daily, praying and sharing morning and evening prayer with his wife. He served on the St. Joseph Catholic Church Council in Leadville for 17 years and was a lector and Eucharistic Minister.

He became a member of the Knights of Columbus while in Leadville, and a member of the Secular Franciscan Order on Sept. 8, 1996, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stratton. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Preceding him in death are his parents; grandparents; one son, Patrick; and five brothers-in-law.

He leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Berenice Caress; his children, Bob Caress and wife, Gloria, and Roxi Garrett and husband, Mike; nine grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

A rosary will be prayed Friday, May 1, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stratton at 7 p.m. (CDT).

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Fr. Sean Redmond and the Rev. Fr. Bernard Lorenz concelebrants. Inurnment with military honors will follow services at 11:30 a.m. (MDT) at the Benkelman Cemetery.

There will be no visitation or viewing. A memorial has been established in his name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton.