Urlin G. McCartney

Urlin G. McCartney

July 20, 1917-June 8, 2004

THORNTON, Colo. -- Urlin G. McCartney, 86, died Tuesday (June 8, 2004) at the Villa at Sunny Acres in Thornton, Colo. He was born July 20, 1917, to Adrian Ernest and Rosa Pearle (Johnston) McCartney in Wauneta. He raised in Wauneta and attended grade school there. He was a 1934 graduate of Wauneta High School.

Following several small business enterprises in Chase County, he left in the late 1930's for California where he painted houses, did factory work and was a Good Humor man.

On Feb. 26, 1941, he received his draft notice and was assigned to the Army 186th Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash. On April 22, 1942, the regiment was mobilized to Australia, where Urlin played trumpet in the Army band. He participated in the invasion of Papua, New Guinea and the Philippines.

On May 16, 1946, he married Loraine A. Phillips in Bridgeport. Upon discharge from the Army Aug. 21, 1945, he returned to California and then Bridgeport, where he joined his brother-in-law, August Goltl, at Bridgeport Equipment Company. He was also employed with Lockwood Grader Company in Gering, 1963-1965, Farmhand Corporation in Garden City, Kan., 1966-1978, Johnson Brothers Equipment Company of McCook from 1978-1980 and Bridgeport Equipment Company in Imperial from 1980-1982.

He was a Boy Scout leader in Bridgeport, served on the volunteer fire department, was honored as an admiral of the Nebraska Navy for his work in scouting, was a board member of the Dundy County Senior Center and the Civil Defense Director of Dundy County. He worked with the bloodmobile for many years. He was worshipful master of Camp Clark Lodge No. 285 in Bridgeport, was worthy patron of Bridgeport Chapter No. 260 of the Order of Eastern Star, had a dual membership with the Justice Lodge No. 180 AF & AM and was worshipful master with that lodge. He also had dual membership with Holly Chapter No. 233 Order of Easter Star and was worthy patron in 1986, 1987 and 1994. He is a fifty year member of the Scottish Rite of Alliance and is a member of the Tehama Western Shrine of Hastings. He was a sixty-year member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Opal Lamar and Glaydes Goltl; three brothers, Orlie McCartney, Arthur McCartney and his twin, Urcell McCartney.

Survivors include his wife, Loraine McCartney of Thornton; daughter, Dr. Nancy Francis and husband, Bruce of North Potomac, Md.; son, Dr. Robert McCartney and wife, Bonita of Denver, Colo.; one sister-in-law, Bertha McCartney; and five grandchildren.

Services are Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Norman Prather officiating. Interment will be at 1 p.m., at Riverview Cemetery in Wauneta with military honors.

Visitation is today, until 7 p.m., at Forch Funeral Home Chapel of Benkelman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 789 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203, or to a charity of choice.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of the arrangements.