U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Dave C. Williams, Jr., 80 (1923-2004)
Dave C. Williams, Jr., 80 of Grand Island, Nebraska, died Thursday, June 3, 2004, at Grand Island. He was born at Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, on December 6, 1923, to Dave and Grace (Southard) Williams, the first of 10 children.
He married Carolyn Royce on March 8, 1946, who preceded him in death on March 16, 1992. He married Gerene (Gerri) Myers on November 20, 2000.
After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, obtaining the rank of 1st Lt., B17 pilot with the 8th Army Air Corp, 390th Bombardment Group flying combat missions and relief food drops in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. Upon returning home, Dave enrolled and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University.
He then served as a County Extension Agent in Oklahoma. In 1957, he moved to Nebraska and was a County Extension Agent in Dawson County.
Williams was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of 4-H Workers, a Citation for Outstanding Service to 4-H, the Agricultural Achievement Award presented by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben as a friend and educator of 4-H and his services to the Livestock Exposition, as well as many other awards and citations for his accomplishments.
He is survived by his family which includes: his wife, Gerri; son, Steve of Lincoln; daughter, Jan of Lincoln; granddaughters, Tiffany and Eric Nordmeyer and Katie; grandson, Patrick; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale and Jean of Wewoka, Oklahoma, Leo and Jane of Bossier City, Louisiana, Verle "Duts" and Barbara of San Antonio, Texas, John and Gloria of Gower, Missouri, Bill and Dee of Spring, Texas, Jerry and Marci of Wichita, Kansas, and Jack and fiance, Landee of Topeka, Kansas; sister, brother-in-law, Dorothy and Steve Davenport of Shell Knob, Missouri; and sister-in-law, Ampy of Wichita.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Merle "Red" Williams.
Services were held Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Roper & Sons Chapel in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Memorials are suggested to the "Dave C. Williams Memorial Fund.
Eugene M. (Gene) Brestel (1930-2004)
Eugene M. (Gene) Brestel, 73, of Callaway, Nebraska, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, the result of a heart attack, at Callaway District Hospital in Callaway.
He was born July 23, 1930, on a farm near Callaway to Oscar and Mary (Thinnes) Brestel. Gene attended rural schools around Callaway, graduating from Callaway High School with the Class of 1948. He worked on farms in the Callaway area. On June 24, 1950, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Lichtenberger in Callaway. Three children were blessed to this union, Jacquelyn, Jonathon and Thomas.
The family farmed until 1976, when he went to work for Big Valley, a farm equipment manufacturing company, in Lexington, Nebraska. He worked there until he was forced to retire in 1988, for health reasons. Gene was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and was on the Church Council when the present church was built. He was a charter member of the Seven Valleys Rodeo Association. After he retired, he enjoyed doing woodworking. Nothing delighted him more than having a project that was a challenge. He also enjoyed gardening and fishing and games of challenge. He was a loyal family man and loved his grandchildren and they delighted in fishing and playing cribbage with him.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Jane Brestel of Callaway; one daughter and spouse, Jacquelyn and Bill Bailey of Heidelberg, Germany; two sons and spouses, Jonathon and Sherry Brestel of Broken Bow, Nebraska, and Thomas and Cindi Brestel of Holdrege, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Timothy and wife Melissa Brestel of Omaha, Nebraska, Bethany, Amanda and Ryan Brestel, all of Tucson, Arizona, and Megan and Emily Brestel of Holdrege, Nebraska; four brothers, Robert Brestel of Callaway, Roger Brestel of Tucson, Arizona, Kenneth Brestel of Ogallala, Nebraska, and Richard Brestel of Edmond, Oklahoma; one sister, Isabelle McCandless of Merna, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, June 12, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway with Rev. Neal Nollette officiating.
Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway.
A Wake Service, Friday, June 11, 2004, was held at 7:30 p.m. at the church.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Callaway District Hospital or the Callaway Rescue Unit.
Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway was in charge of arrangements.
Katherine C. Miller, 92 (1911-2004)
Katherine Miller, age 92, former Cozad, Nebraska, resident, died June 13, 2004, at Grand Junction, Colorado.
She was born December 4, 1911, at Callaway, Nebraska, to John and Albertina Johnson Norbeck. She attended Callaway Public Schools.
On November 19, 1931, she married Merle Miller. The couple made their home on a farm on Cliff Table between Arnold, Nebraska, and Merna, Nebraska, before moving to a farm site north of Cozad. In 1962, they moved to Cozad. She had worked at several Cozad businesses during her lifetime. She had made her home in Colorado for the past several years to be near her daughters.
She was a member of the Church of Christ on Newell in Cozad and the Navy Mothers.
Survivors include two daughters, Helen (Gary) Wilson of Cedaredge, Colorado, and Elaine (Larry) Baker of Clifton, Colorado; two sons, Gayle (Marge) Miller of Valentine, Nebraska, and Robert E. Miller of Cozad; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1989; a son, Gerald "Bud" in 2002; and several brothers and sisters.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, at the Church of Christ on Newell in Cozad with Roger Sloan officiating. Burial will be in the Cozad Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad which is in charge of arrangements.
Loretta M. Burr, age 84 (1919-2004)
Loretta M. Burr, 84, of Lexington, Nebraska, formerly of Overton, Nebraska, died June 15, 2004, at her daughter's facility, Alternative Life Home in Lexington, where she had been a resident the past two years. Loretta was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2004.
She was born August 13, 1919, at Sumner, Nebraska, to Walter and Ellen (Brown) Wheeler. Due to the death of her mother, at the young age of 10 years, Loretta and her younger brother and sister were placed in the Masonic Orphanage in Fremont, Nebraska. She lived there for seven years. When she returned to Sumner, she helped her older sister and brother with their children.
She was united in marriage to William J. Burr on October 27, 1940, at Eddyville, Nebraska. Two daughters were blessed to this union, Maureen and June.
Her beloved husband passed away on February 22, 1993. Loretta was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a special friend to everyone. Loretta loved to work in her garden and bake for her daughters and hubby when they were younger. She was a sweet, kindhearted lady who never turned away a stranger. She will be truly missed by her loving family.
Survivors include two daughters, Maureen Crandall of Overton and June and Harvey Morrison of Eddyville; brothers-in-law, Walter and Sylvia Burr of Eddyville, and Robert and Ilis Burr of Gibbon, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Elaine Burr of Gibbon, Sophia Mazanec of Lexington, and Helen Wheeler of California; six grandsons and one granddaughter, 11 great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband; son-in-law, Art Crandall; sisters, Louella, Irene and one infant sister; brothers, Leroy, Ralph and Don; and brothers-in-law, Roy Burr and George Mazanec.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 18, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington with Rev. David Weller officiating.
Burial will be in the Sumner Cemetery at Sumner.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the American Cancer Society or the donor's choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.
Chester "Chet" Banks (1911-2004)
Chester "Chet" W. Banks, 93, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Monday, August 9, 2004, at Lexington. He was born on July 21, 1911, to Frank and Ada (Roberts) Banks, north of Lexington on the family farm. He grew up in the Lexington area and graduated from Lexington High School in 1930. While in high school he worked for the Sweet Shop, which he later managed. He then moved to California where he entered the United States Army during WWII, where he served in the European Theater. Following his discharge, he returned to California where he moved to the Santa Monica area. While in California, Chet worked as a chef in his own cafe, as well as custodian at UCLA. He returned to Lexington in 1980, following his retirement.
Chet enjoyed traveling, flowers and gardening, dancing and making pictures and rugs made with yarn. He was a very caring person who thought the world of his loving family.
Survivors include two sisters, Jean Proett of Overton, Nebraska, and Marjorie Walston of Los Angeles, California; a special friend, Katherine Willets of Lexington; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.
It was Chet's wishes that his body be cremated.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Rev. Caroline Vickery officiating. Inurnment will be held prior to the Memorial Service at 10 a.m. at the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Cemetery northwest of Lexington.
Memorials are suggested, in lieu of flowers, to the First Presbyterian Church or the donor's choice.
Jeremy DeMoss, age 23 (1980-2004)
Jeremy L. DeMoss, 23, of Kearney, Nebraska, died Sunday, August 8, 2004, at the Rock County Hospital in Bassett, Nebraska, from injuries sustained in a car accident on Saturday in Loup County.
He was born on October 3, 1980, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Bruce and Patty (Sidlo) DeMoss. He grew up in Kearney and attended school in Kearney, and graduated from Kearney High School. He was employed by Daylight Donuts, USA Steak Buffet, and Heiden Construction.
He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church. He was a Tri-City Storm hockey fan, and Nebraska football fan, and volunteered at the Barbershop Chorus Shows. He enjoyed camping and country music.
Survivors include his mother, Patty Shumate and husband Mike of Kearney; father, Bruce DeMoss and wife Brenda of Grand Island; foster parents, Rod and Jolene Schroer of Kearney; brothers, Jason Brewster of Oberlin, Kansas, and Kevin Johnson of Grand Island; sisters, Tina DeMoss of Cozad, Nebraska, April Axtell of Kearney, and Charmaine Greenlee of Grand Island; nephews, Tyler Axtell of Kearney, and Tanner DeMoss of Cozad; and several uncles and aunts. He is also survived by foster brother, Victor Schroer of Kearney; and foster sisters, Cynthia and Crystal Schroer, both of Kearney.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2004, at the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney with the Rev. Tim Peterson officiating. Interment was in the Kearney Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Red Cross and Friends of Law Enforcement.
O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney was in charge of arrangements.
