U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Donald J. Gruber, age 61 (1941-2003)
Donald Gruber, 61, of Elwood, Nebraska, died March 1, 2003, at Holdrege.
He was born April 28, 1941, at Elwood to Leonard and Ardus Haney Gruber. He attended Elwood High School through the 11th grade, leaving to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He graduated from Barstow Union High School in Barstow, California, in June 1961, on completion of night classes. He served in the Marines from August 1958 to August 1961.
On January 5, 1960, he married Mary M. Phillips of Barstow, California, at Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, still in Barstow, he was employed at Santa Fe Railroad as a machinist and with Bendix Field Engineering as a Power House Operator.
The couple lived in Barstow until 1972, when they moved to their acreage four miles east of Elwood. Since moving to Nebraska, Don worked as a mechanic at International Harvestor and Sperry New Holland in Lexington and Bellamy Implement in Elwood. He later worked as a manager of B & B Implement in Arapahoe. In 1981, he started his own photography business, Don's Photos, which was operated from his home. In 22 years of taking pictures, he photographed over 600 weddings, families, children and seniors from over 35 schools in the area. His wife and daughter worked with him in the family business.
Throughout his life, his many interests and accomplishments included obtaining a private and commercial pilot license, owning his own plane, cross-country motorcycle racing with his wife and daughter as his pit crew, fishing, hunting and riding his motorcycle for pleasure and traveling to Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
He was a board member at the Elwood Senior Center and a former member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of Elwood; daughter, Mary Lynne Gruber of Elwood; a granddaughter, Sarah Lynne (Jason) Wilcox and a week old great-granddaughter, Holly Lynne Wilcox of Hastings, Nebraska; a grandson, Justin R. Cannady of Lincoln; his mother, Ardus Halker of Elwood; three brothers, Larry (Elinor) of Joplin, Missouri, Nelson (Lannae) Halker of Smithfield, Greg (Sonnie) Halker of Bertrand and four sisters, Mary Ellen Ford of Hildreth, Lynnette (Jim) Phillips of Lexington, Estelline (Gene) Townsend of Caldwell, Kansas, and Inez (Darrell) Bourne of Medford, Oregon.
He was preceded in death by his father; step-father, Howard Halker; and a brother-in-law, Willard Ford.
A memorial has been established in his memory.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church in Elwood. Inurnment was in the Elwood Cemetery with military honors.
Berryman Funeral Home of Cozad was in charge of arrangements.
Charles 'Chuck' Oller, 61 (1941-2003)
Charles "Chuck" Oller, 61, of Farnam, Nebraska, died Monday, March 3, 2003. Chuck was born November 7, 1941, to William and Elizabeth Sube Oller at Louisville, Kentucky.
He served in the U.S. Army from December 1961 to December 1964. On December 15, 1973, he married Ellen Chester at Houston, Texas.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen Oller of Farnam; one son, Nicholas Oller of Louisville, Kentucky; two daughters, Laura (John) Nicholson of Farnam and Rhonda (Casey) Staples of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Johnny (Brittany) and Rhondea Nicholson, Lauren, Tommy Joe and Brittany Staples; one brother, John Donald (Judy) Oller of New Caney, Texas; and one sister, Brenda Stults of Louisville, Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ronnie.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Farnam, with Rev. Dennis "Buck" Linton-Hendrick officiating. Private family burial was March 3, 2003, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell.
Memorials may be given to the family in Chuck's name.
Blase Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
Luella M. Klein, age 89 (1913-2003)
Luella M. Klein, 89, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died March 26, 2003. She was born on August 16, 1913, to Fred Grover and Hattie Eva Martin Fochtman at Callaway, Nebraska.
On April 3, 1937, she married Wayne Klein in Kearney. She was baptized in 1924 at the Morning Star Church at Callaway. She joined the United Methodist Church in Gothenburg, August 18, 1946. She was a 50 year member at the United Methodist Church of Gothenburg and a member of the United Methodist Women. She worked for Joe's Western Cafe in Gothenburg for a few years. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary #5132 for many years.
Survivors include: one brother, Dale (Shirley) Fochtman of Lincoln, Nebraska; one sister, Vivian Geiser of Worland, Wyoming; one sister-in-law, Fae Fochtman of Springfield, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and three brothers, James, Gerald and Harold Fochtman.
The body was cremated. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at 10 a.m. at Blase Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, with Rev. Tim Travers officiating.
Burial will be at the Stoptable Cemetery southwest of Callaway. Register book will be available to sign on Thursday and Friday, April 10-11, 2003, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Blase Memorial Chapel.
Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church in Gothenburg or to the donor's choice.
Blase Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg is in charge of arrangements.
Father Thomas P. Ozanne (1946-2003)
Father Thomas Paul Ozanne, C. PP.S, 56, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
Father Ozanne was born on November 5, 1946, in Lexington, Nebraska, to Allen and Grace (Thomalla) Ozanne.
He began his studies for the priesthood in the Society of the Precious Blood at Sacred Heart College (now Newman University) in Wichita, Kansas, on April 15, 1970. He was incorporated as a member of the Society at his home parish, St. Ann's in Lexington on June 1, 1974.
His first assignment was associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he also served as the director of guidance at Lourdes Central Catholic. During this assignment, he became a chaplain in the Army and took his basic course at Fort Wadsworth, New York. From 1980 to 1992, Father Ozanne served as chaplain in the United States Army. His career included stays in Fort Lewis, Washington, in the 9th Infantry Division; Korea, 19th Support Command; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, Chaplain's Advanced Course; Fort Riley, Kansas, First Infantry Division; Federal Republic of Germany, 1-22 field Artillery Battalion, 1st Armored Division; Norfolk, Virginia, Armed Forces Staff College and Fort Hood, Texas III Corps. His military decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, an Army Achievement Medal, and was a member of the Order of St. Barbara.
Upon retiring from the Army in 1992, Father Ozanne returned to parish life and was assigned as parochial vicar to St. James Parish in Liberty, Missouri, from 1993-1997. In 1988, he served as part- time sacramental minister at the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was also assigned as parochial vicar to St. Francis Xavier Parish in St. Joseph, Missouri, until 2001. During the past several years, Father Ozanne was dealing with bouts of depression and more recently was part-time chaplain at St. Mary's Hospital in Blue Springs, Missouri.
Father Ozanne appreciated works of art, music, and treasured the friendship of many. His preaching, ministry to the sick, and good humor will be missed by all.
Survivors include his mother, Grace Mary of Lexington; sister, Virginia Chase and husband Douglas of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law, Pamela Ozanne of Wichita, Kansas; aunt, Rhoda Ozanne of Nebraska; great-aunt, Edith Haymaker of Omaha, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his father, Allen and brother, John.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, April 7, 2003, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington with Rev. Don Buhrman officiating.
Burial was in the St. Ann's Cemetery in Lexington with Military Honors. Wake services were held Sunday, April 6, 2003, at 7 p.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Society of the Precious Blood, P.O. Box 339, Liberty, Missouri 64069.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home of Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Orvilla "Darlene" Gulley (1935-2003)
Orvilla "Darlene" Zimmerman Gulley, 68, died in Torrington, Wyoming, after a short battle with cancer, July 14, 2003.
She was born May 3, 1935, in Lexington, Nebraska, the daughter of Walter W. and Cassie O. (Robinson) Fanter.
She attended school in Lexington. On June 4, 1953, she married Harold Lee Zimmerman. They were together for 20 years and lived in Darr, Cozad, North Platte and Mitchell, all in Nebraska. After their divorce, she married Dennis G Gulley, Sr. on June 19, 1973. They lived in Torrington, Douglas and Lusk, Wyoming.
Throughout her life, she worked at many different places and owned three different cafes. She was active in her community and was always willing to bake her wonderful breads and rolls for most any group. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Gulley, Sr. of Lusk; a brother and his wife, Bill and Wilma Fanter of North Platte; a brother-in-law, Harold L. Dishman of Laramie, Wyoming; sons, Brad Zimmerman and wife Angel of Las Vegas, Nevada, Doug Zimmerman and wife Vicki of Belt, Montana, and Justin Gulley and wife Krista of Lusk; stepsons, Dennis Gulley and wife Jody, Kevin Gulley and wife Traci of Torrington, and Carey Gulley of Cleveland, Ohio; daughters, Rhonda Woyak and husband Frank of Torrington, Cassie Oaks of Laramie, Johnna Messmer and husband Duane of Guernsey, Wyoming, and Tommy and Cindy Collins of Wheatland, Wyoming; many nieces and nephews; and 35 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a half-brother and sister at birth; a half-sister Patricia Ann Dishman; one half-brother at birth; a daughter Saundra; a grandson Franklin and two granddaughters, Angela and Shay.
Memorial services were held at the Cicmanec-Pier Chapel in Lusk at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2003, with Pastor Gary Robbins officiating.
Jeannette Martin, age 88 (1914-2003)
Jeannette Martin, 88, a former Gothenburg, Nebraska, resident, died Monday, July 14, 2003, at Columbus, Nebraska.
She was born on November 15, 1914, in Horace, Nebraska, the daughter of Walter A. and Bell (Jefferies) Crockett.
Jeannette married Patrick Martin at North Loup, Nebraska, on September 18, 1933. They lived in Gothenburg for 60 years, where she was a homemaker and cake decorator. They moved to Columbus in 1998. Patrick died on November 24, 2001.
She was a member of the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus and was President of the Mother of Good Council Church Altar Society in Gothenburg, the Birthday Club and Home Extension Club in Gothenburg.
Services were held at the St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, with Rev. Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Interment was at the All Saints Cemetery in Columbus.
Survivors include a daughter, Janeeta (William) Kline of Columbus; a sister, Margarete Mecaoji of Bullhead City, Arizona; three grandchildren, Patricia (John) Haugaard of Decatur, Georgia, Duane "Mike" (Beth Burdine) Kline of Marietta, Georgia, and Keith (Janelle Bouc) Kline of Columbus; five great-grandsons, Dana Haugaard of Decatur, Charles Kline of Marietta, John Kline of Columbus, Robert Kline of Marietta and William Kline of Marietta; four great-granddaughters, Sara Haugaard of Decatur, Danielle Kline of Columbus, Kathryn Kline of Marietta and Michelle Kline of Columbus.
