Obituaries from January 2018

Larry “LJ” Becker Oct. 17, 1943 - Dec. 26, 2017 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Larry “LJ” Becker, 74, of Beaver City, died Tuesday (Dec. 26, 2017), at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City. He was born in Logan, Kan., on Oct. 17, 1943, to Bernard A. and Geraldine L. ...

Helen B. Pinner HOLDREGE, Neb.— Helen B. Pinner, 94, of Holdrege, died Monday (Jan. 1, 2018), at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege. Services are Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, 11 a.m. at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege with Chaplain Kathy Doiel officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later date...

Delores Joan Jennings Sept. 10, 1941 - Dec. 30, 2017 OBERLIN, Kan. — Delores Joan Jennings, 76, died Saturday (Dec. 30, 2017) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb. She was born Sept. 10, 1941 in Fairbury, Neb., to Arthur and Wilma (Chancellor) Dimond. She grew up in McCook, Neb., with her grandparents, Vernon and Rose Chancellor. She attended grade school and high school in McCook and one year at Gulf Coast Bible College in Houston, Texas...

Rowena Mae Cathcart Aug.29, 1925 - Dec. 30, 2017 OBERLIN, Kan. — Rowena Mae Cathcart was born Aug.29, 1925, to Albert and Maude (Loomis) Lacey at their farm home near Hayes Center, Neb. She passed away Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 92...

Douglas James Swanson May 30, 1956 - Dec. 28, 2017 INDIANOLA, Neb. — Douglas James Swanson, age 61, passed away at Indianola on Dec. 28, 2017. He was born in Hastings, Neb., on May 30, 1956, to Marvin Swanson and Kay (Lantz) Perkins. Doug received his education in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1974. He then attended University of Colorado at Boulder, Colo., attaining his bachelor’s of science degree...

Debra Lynne Swanson Sept. 16, 1956 - Dec. 28, 2017 INDIANOLA, Neb. — Debra Lynne Swanson, age 61, passed away at Indianola on Dec. 28, 2017. She was born in Denver, Colo., on Sept. 16, 1956, to Virgil and Ruth (Kirch) Woodhams. Debra graduated from High School in Houston, Texas, in 1974...

Wesley Wheeler WAUNETA, Neb. — Wesley Wheeler, 94, of rural Wauneta, died Sunday (Dec. 31, 2017), at the Wauneta Care and Therapy Center. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie of rural Wauneta; children, Rod Wheeler and wife, Joy of rural Wauneta, David Wheeler and wife, Lydia of Yukon, Okla., and Dennis Wheeler of Colorado Springs, Colo.; eight grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren...

Dr. Vernon G. Ward, MD March 5, 1928 - Jan 1, 2018 OMAHA, Neb. — Dr. Vernon G. Ward, MD, 89, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 at Omaha. He was born March 5, 1928, to Charles Bennett and Mildred Belle (Graves) Ward in Palisade, Neb.  He graduated from Palisade High School in 1945 and earned his bachelor's of art degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1948.  He was an instructor and research fellow in anatomy at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, 1948-1950. ...

Richard V. Spray Nov. 30, 1956 - Dec. 24, 2017 NORMAN, Neb. — Richard V. Spray, 61, of Norman, died Dec. 24, 2017, at his home in Norman after a short battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 30, 1956, in Bridgeport, Neb., to Glen A. and Virginia M. (Frickey) Spray. ...

Merlin Shaffer TRENTON, Neb. — Merlin Shaffer, 69, of Trenton, died Dec. 31, 2017, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb. Services are pending with Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.

Harry “Stewart” Corns Dec. 11, 1936 - Jan. 4, 2018 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Harry “Stewart” Corns, age 81 of North Platte, passed away Thursday Jan. 4, 2018. “Stew” was born on Dec. 11, 1936 in Cambridge, NE to Erman Edward and Virgie (Scott) Corns. The family moved to McCook in his early childhood and he graduated from McCook High School in 1954. ...

Gloria D. Becker Aug. 8, 1954 -Jan. 1, 2018 MINDEN, Neb. — Gloria D. Becker, 63, of Minden, passed away on Jan. 1, 2018, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden with Reverend Daniel Davis and Reverend Berke Landrum officiating. ...

Thomas LeRoy Magorian RICHMOND, Va. — Thomas L. Magorian of Richmond passed away peacefully on Dec. 22, 2017, at the age of 84. Tom was born in Palisade, Neb., to LeRoy and Neita Magorian who preceded him in death. Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Fallert Magorian and his children, Bobby (Ellie), Pamela, Amy Howell (David), and Elisha. ...

Carla J. Marintzer HERNDON, Kan. — Carla J. Marintzer, 71, died today (Jan. 9, 2018), at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kan. Services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Services are pending with Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.

Carla J. Marintzer Feb. 28, 1946 - Jan. 9, 2018 OBERLIN, Kan. — Carla J. Marintzer, daughter of Emmery and Josephine (Solko) Marintzer, was born Feb. 28, 1946, in Oberlin. She passed away Jan. 9, 2018, at the Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kan., at the age of 71...

Daniel Francis Andrijeski July 16, 1931 - Jan. 10, 2018 FORT WORTH, Texas — Dan F. Andrijeski, 86, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. Funeral is 4 p.m. Sunday at Thompson's Harveson and Cole Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 3 p.m. Interment is 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Procession to the cemetery will depart from the funeral home at 11:30 a.m...

Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Harold Eugene Light April 4, 1935 - Jan. 10, 2018 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Harold Eugene Light of Cambridge passed away Jan. 10, 2018, at Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb., at the age of 82. Harold was born on April 4, 1935, in Goodland, Kan., to Eugene and Evalyn (Barnes) Light. ...

Gilbert “Gib” Milton Stewart Oct. 30, 1930 - Jan. 15, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — Gilbert “Gib” Milton Stewart, 87, of McCook, formerly of Arapahoe, Neb., died Monday (Jan. 15, 2018), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born on Oct. 30, 1930, in Arapahoe to Charles and Gertrude (Warner) Stewart. In December of 1950, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served in the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1951...

Gary G. Hilker June 13, 1935 Jan. 16, 2018 HOLBROOK, Neb. — Gary G. Hilker, age 82, of Holbrook, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, Neb. He was born on June 13, 1935, at Oxford, Neb., to Herbert R. and Rose (Kramer) Hilker...

Charlie Edward McCoy Nov. 2, 1952 - Jan. 16, 2018 DOUGLAS, Wyo. — Funeral services for Charlie Edward McCoy, 65, will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at the Fort Reno Building at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas with Pastor Zack Andrews of First Baptist Church officiating and Travis Peak as the eulogist...

Alice CL (Vogt) Hays Nov. 22, 1926 - Jan. 19, 2018 GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Alice Cornelius Louise (Vogt) Hays, 91, of Gothenburg, died Jan. 19, 2018, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg. She was born on Nov. 22, 1926, at Gothenburg, to Roy and Agnes (Miller) Vogt. She graduated from Gothenburg High School and attended Kearney State College. Alice married George A. Hays at Gothenburg in 1949...

William “Bill” Stock Dec. 24, 1923 - Jan. 20, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — William St. Clair Stock was born the day before Christmas in 1923, near Wauneta, Neb. “Bill,” as he was known, was the second youngest of eight children born to Chester C. and Bessie B. (Ough) Stock. He grew up and attended school in the Wauneta area, graduating from Wauneta High School...

Marion North Aug. 5, 1950 - Jan. 20, 2018 GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Marion North, 67, of Grand Island, formerly of McCook, Neb., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at his home with his loving family by his side. Celebration of life services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island. Dan Naranjo will officiate...

Vernon “Bud” O. Manker June 20, 1920 - Jan. 13, 2018 ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Vernon “Bud” Oliver Manker passed away Jan. 13, 2018, at Evelyn’s House Hospice in Creve Coeur, Mo. He was 97 years old. Vernon was born on June 20, 1920, at Estancia, N.M., to Claude E. ...

Francis D. Haag Aug. 25, 1924 - Jan. 22, 2018 BARTLEY, Neb. — Francis D. Haag, of rural Bartley, passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at McCook, Neb. He was 93 years old. Francis was born Aug. 25, 1924, on a farm north of Lebanon, Neb., to Francis A. and Grace M. (Warner) Haag. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1941 where he played the clarinet and was an avid baseball player, later playing on town teams as a young man. Following graduation he began farming in the area...

Tony Dean Miller June 11, 1963 - Oct. 27, 2017 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Tony Dean Miller, 54, died Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. He was born on June 11, 1963, in McCook, Neb. He was one of eight children born to E. Royal and Jackie (Haag) Miller. He grew up in Arapahoe, where he graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1982. He attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney and the University of Phoenix. He was a specialist/auditor at Cigna and a State of Arizona claims customer provider...

Inez Lucille (David) Stamm April 2, 1927 - Jan. 21, 2018 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Inez Lucille (David) Stamm was born to George and Rubie (Mears) David on April 2, 1927, at her parents’ home located 10 miles north of McDonald, Kans. This farm belonged to her grandfather, Samuel L. ...

Vernon R. Diederich July 28, 1935 - Jan. 24, 2018 OBERLIN, Kan. — Vernon R. Diederich, 82, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2018), at Decatur Health in Oberlin. He was born July 28, 1935, on a farm near Selden. Kan., in Sheridan County, Kan., to Charles H. and Matilda (Harold) Diederich. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1954. He was U.S. Navy veteran...

Frank L. Fewell May 11, 1925 - Jan. 24, 2018 EDISON, Neb. — Frank L. Fewell, 92, of rural Edison, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2018), at St. John’s Good Samaritan Society, Kearney, Neb. He was born on May 11, 1925, on the family farm. He attended school at the Girch Country School and graduated from Edison High School in 1943...

Lyla June Anderson June 10, 1940 - Jan. 4, 2018 BRIGHTON, Colo. — Lyla June Anderson, 77, died Jan. 4, 2018, at her home in Brighton. She was born June 10, 1940, in Boone, Iowa, to parents, Donald and June Lee Hopkins. She graduated from Trenton High School in 1958. She worked in a bank in San Francisco and moved back to Denver to work...

Pamela S. Lamb June 4, 1954 - Jan. 26, 2018 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Pamela S. Lamb, 63, of Beaver City, died Friday (Jan. 26, 2018) at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege, Neb. Pam was born to Robert and Elizabeth (Hansen) Reed on June 4, 1954 in Omaha, Neb. ...

Paulvetta Colleen Balliet July 9, 1928 - Jan. 24, 2018 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Paulvetta Colleen Balliet, 89, of Beaver City, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2018) at Beaver City Manor in Beaver City. She was born July 9, 1928, at Grand Island, Neb., to Roscoe and Teresa (Ramsey) Fulton...

Wandyne A. Bamesberger Oct 19, 1927 – Jan 28, 2018 BELLEVUE, Neb. — Wandyne A. Bamesberger died Sunday (Jan. 28, 2018). She was preceded in death by parents; two sisters and a brother. Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Ervin Bamesberger; children, Mark (Joann) Bamesberger, Carol (Allen) Ziegelbein and Keith (Kathryn) Bamesberger; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and other family members...

Daniel Kermit Arterburn April 23, 1956 - Jan. 19, 2018 PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Prop him up beside the jukebox... Daniel Kermit Arterburn, 61, of Prescott, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, due to health complications from influenza. Dan was born in McCook, Neb., on April 23, 1956. Dan began his career as a craftsman in McCook, where he worked together with his dad, Kermit, designing, building and remodeling over 100 homes in the area. ...

Janet L. Fletcher Sept. 6, 1931 - Jan. 27, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — Janet L. Fletcher, 86, passed away on Jan. 27, 2018, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. Janet was born on Sept. 6, 1931, in Mason City, Iowa, to Eugene and Gladys (Miller) Daley. She moved to McCook as a young girl and spent the majority of her life in a town she loved...

Evan A. League Nov. 19, 1923 - Jan. 28, 2018 STRATTON, Neb. — Evan Arthur League was born Nov. 19, 1923, in Haigler, Neb., to Raymond E. and Anna S. (Hawkinson) League. His family moved to a farm south of Stratton, when Evan was a young boy. He graduated from Stratton High School in 1942...