U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Arvilla E. Copeland
Former Nuckolls County resident Arvilla Estella (Walkinshaw) Copeland, 85, of Lenexa, Kan., died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at her home.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Shawnee, Kan. Burial is 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Evergreen Cemetery in Superior. Visitation is 2-3 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior is in charge of local arrangements.
Mrs. Copeland was born March 7, 1914, to William J. and Lennie (Skirlo) Walkinshaw in Nuckolls County. She grew up in the Nuckolls County area. She married Wilbur C. Copeland. She was a teacher and public speaker for many years for public and Christian schools in Superior; Fairfield; Hebron; Clarinda, Iowa; Haxtun, Colo.; and Shawnee. She also was a published writer.
She was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Survivors are her husband; three sons, Robert M. of Beaver Falls, Pa., Stanley R. of Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and Stephen D. of Columbus, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be given to the English department at Beaver County Christian School, 510 37th St., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
Amelia S. Meyer
Former Campbell resident Amelia Susanna (Koch) Meyer, 90, of Burley, Idaho, died Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, in Burley.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Burley with Elder Chuck Meyer officiating. Burial will be at the Twin Falls Cemetery in Idaho. Visitation is prior to services Friday at the church. Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Meyer was born Jan. 14, 1909, to Jacob and Elizabeth Koch in Campbell. On April 20, 1927, she married Edwin W. "Shorty" Meyer. They lived in Campbell and Denman until 1936 when they moved to Idaho. They lived in Twin Falls and Kimberly, Idaho. Her husband preceded her in death.
She was a member of the Immanuel and Redeemer Lutheran churches.
Survivors are two sons, Charles of Burley and David of San Marcos, Calif.; one daughter, Nelda Brosz of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, Arthur of Canoga Park, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by one son, Carrol E; and one brother.
Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Hour.
K. Lorene Pickens
Former Hastings resident Kathryn Lorene (Paris) Pickens, 85, of San Diego, died Dec. 18, 1999, at the California Special Care Center in LaMesa, Calif.
Graveside services were Dec. 27 in El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego. Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary of San Diego was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Pickens was born Nov. 27, 1914, to Edmund and Mary (Farrell) Paris in Hastings. In 1937 she married Alex Pickens. They moved to California before World War II. Her husband died in 1960.
Surviving is one son, Douglas of LaMesa.
Robert A. Messler
Kenesaw resident Robert Arnie Messler, 63, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Brand-Wilson Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Harold Stromer officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until services Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Messler was born May 11, 1936, to Oscar and Agnes (Ax) Messler in Beresford S.D. He graduated from high school in Vermillion, S.D., in 1954. He attended the University of South Dakota and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. On June 24, 1957, he married Marilyn Ashmore in Vermillion. They moved to Hastings in 1973 where he worked for Western Landroller for 18 years. He worked at Lincoln Industries Tool for one year, Nebraska Aluminum Castings of Hastings and Hastings Industries for four years as a supervisor. He was an industrial engineer. In 1994 he moved to Kenesaw.
He was a member of the Elks in Hastings and the Society of Machinery Engineers.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Kristine C. Messler of Omaha; two sons, R. Scott and Curtis J., both of Long Beach, Calif.; one sister, Anna Lawrensen of Vermillion; and one brother, Gary of Chicago.
He was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Memorials may be given to the family's choice.
Amelia Miller
Former Juniata resident Amelia Miller, 90, of Lincoln, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Lancaster Manor in Lincoln.
Services are pending with Brand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hastings.
Almeda Warner
Former Hastings resident Almeda (Halstead) Warner, 87, of The Woodlands, Texas, died Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, in The Woodlands.
Services were Dec. 18 in Pomeroy, Ohio. Burial was in Memory Gardens in Pomeroy. Forest Park Funeral Home in The Woodlands was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Warner was born July 21, 1912, to James Wyatt and Martha Ellen (Bailes) Halstead in Pool, W.Va. She married Charles D. Warner. He died in 1970. She lived in Hastings in the 1980s. In 1995 she moved to The Woodlands.
Survivors are one son, Charles D. Jr. of The Woodlands; two sisters, Freda Edwards of Ona, W.Va., and Regina Jamison of Milton W.Va.; one brother, James of Charleston, W.Va.; and one grandchild.
Memorials may be given to Prison Fellowship-Angel Tree, P.O. Box 9147, The Woodlands, TX 77387.
Ralph P. Kissinger Jr.
Hastings resident Capt. Ralph P. Kissinger Jr., 85, of 319 North Shore Drive, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Services are pending with Butler-Volland Funeral Home in Hastings.
Dorothy E. Virgin
Hebron resident Dorothy E. (Gordon) Virgin, 82, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, in Hebron.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Hebron with the Revs. John R. Walton and William Thornton officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Hebron. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today, 9-11 a.m. Friday at Price Funeral Home in Hebron and two hours prior to services Friday at the church.
Mrs. Virgin was born July 27, 1917, to Roy Max and Agnes C. (Muirhead) Gordon in Stockham. She graduated from Hebron High School and attended Hebron College and Academy from 1934-36. On Dec. 28, 1939, she married Robert W. Virgin in Omaha. She lived in Stockham, Lincoln, Richfield, Omaha and Hebron. She was a former secretary of the Hebron Chamber of Commerce. She worked as a bookkeeper for Ken Boy Chevrolet and Van Cats Ford in Hebron. She also worked as a clerk at Hawkins Hardware in Hebron. She and her husband opened Virgin Heating and Air Conditioning in Hebron. In 1965 she opened the H&R Block Office in Hebron and retired after 25 years of tax service.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a 60-year member of Order of the Eastern Star Hebron Chapter No. 31.
Survivors are her husband; one daughter, Marcia Williams of Hebron; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
Memorials may go to the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Unit or the family's choice.
Paul J. Johnson
Former Hastings resident the Rev. Paul Jasper Johnson, 78, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Ark.
Memorial services are 3 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista. Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory of Bella Vista is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Johnson was born Jan. 5, 1922, to Jasper Allen and Aimee Oral (Mayden) Johnson in Tekamah. He was ordained into the United Methodist Church in 1950 and served churches in seven communities in Nebraska. He developed and ran the Social Services Department at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings for 15 years. He retired from the hospital and served as associate minister at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Omaha for two years. He and his wife then moved to Bella Vista.
Survivors are his wife, Beverly; five daughters, Oralee Volwiler of Plainview, Judith Hamelin of Plattesmouth, Marie Zimmermann of Olympia, Wash., Sandra Johnson of Watervliet, N.Y., and Jacqueline Bridges of Bettendorf, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister.
Memorials may be given to the Bella Vista First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714.
Elsie E. Bloomgren
Blue Hill resident Elsie E. Bloomgren, 97, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000, at Blue Hill Care Center in Blue Hill.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. Saturday at the Blue Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Baldeo Singh officiating. Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill is in charge of arrangements.
Miss Bloomgren was born June 6, 1902, to Charles and Hulda (Johnson) Bloomgren in Mountain Grove, Mo. She moved to Blue Hill with her family in 1919. She lived for a short time in Inavale, Otis, Colo., and Oxford. She worked at Kind's Restaurant, Fair Gift Shop, Funk's Department Store and Martin's Grocery.
She was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.
Memorials may be given to the Blue Hill Care Center.
Leonard J. Varah
Former Hastings resident Leonard J. Varah, 69, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, at his home.
Services were Monday at Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson with the Rev. Lois Rosko officiating. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.
Mr. Varah was born Sept. 24, 1930, to William and Blanche (Whisnand) Varah in Hastings. On Aug. 21, 1959, he married Marjorie Yoder in Greeley, Colo. He served in the U.S. Army for two years. He received his bachelor's degree from Hastings College and his master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1966 he earned his doctorate from Michigan State University with a major in business education and minors in management and research. He taught business education in Red Cloud and Gering high schools. He was a professor of business education and curriculum/instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for more than 31 years. He retired in 1992.
He served as chairman of the 1973 Greg Conference and Cooperating Teacher In-Service meetings at Whitewater. He was an adviser for Pi Omega Pi in Whitewater.
Survivors are his wife; one son, James of Fort Atkinson; one daughter, Vickie Kreklow of Jefferson, Wis.; three brothers, Kenneth of Hastings, Wilbur of Corvallis, Ore., and Carl of Doniphan; and four grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name for a scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
A.J. 'Bud' Urbom
Former Hastings resident A.J. "Bud" Urbom, 75, of Lincoln, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, in Lincoln.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Eastridge Presbyterian Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Dr. Donald McCall officiating. Graveside services are 3 p.m. Monday at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation with the family present is 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home in Lincoln.
Mr. Urbom was born Nov. 28, 1924, to Carl and Alberta (Mefford) Urbom in Rockford, Ill. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed at the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hastings. He later served on the USS Brooks in the South Pacific. On June 12, 1947, he married Mary Alice Brooke in Hastings. He was associated with Phillips Oil Co. for more than 40 years.
He was a member of Eastridge Presbyterian Church, American Legion Post No. 3, VFW No. 131 and Four Stack APD Veterans. He also was awarded five bronze stars and a U.S. Navy Unite Commendation.
Survivors are his wife; two sons, Rick of Sandy, Utah, and Randy of Salt Lake City; two daughters, Carol Hile and Jeni Rouse, both of Lincoln; one brother, Ray of Laramie, Wyo.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be given to the Nebraska Heart Institute, the church or the family.
Genevieve K. Shafer
Hastings native Genevieve K. (Braun) Shafer, 76, of Lexington, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at Berean Bible Church in Lexington with the Rev. Wes Hitchcock officiating. Burial will be in the Rosedale Cemetery. Visitation is 7-9 p.m. today at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Mrs. Shafer was born April 26, 1923, to Martin G. and Lena (Stertz) Braun in Hastings. She moved with her family to many places in Nebraska and Kansas. She graduated from St. Francis High School in Kansas and attended normal school. She taught school for several years. On Dec. 26, 1946, she married Melvin Shafer in Hastings. She moved with her husband several times before settling in Lexington in 1986.
She was a church organist, choir director and Sunday school teacher.
Survivors are her husband; two sons, Ted of Grand Island and Martin of Broken Bow; one daughter, Elizabeth Sanderman of Lexington; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the donor's choice.
Loreto 'Larry' Velazquez
Harvard resident Loreto "Larry" Velazquez, 59, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at his home.
Prayer services are 7:15 p.m. today at Alberding-Wilson Funeral Home chapel in Harvard. Services are 3 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harvard with the Rev. Bernard Lorenz officiating. Burial will be in the Harvard Cemetery. Visitation is until prayer services today and 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the funeral home.
Mr. Velazquez was born Dec. 10, 1940, to Wenselado Perez and Hilaria Velazquez-Perez in Mexico. He served in the Mexico military. He then moved to California where he worked as a logger. In 1981 he moved to Harvard where he worked for Werner Construction doing road construction. In 1996 he retired. On Oct. 10, 1998, he became a United States citizen.
He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Harvard Rod and Gun Club.
Survivors are his wife, Marie Thornton; one son; and two stepsons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son; and two stepgrandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Delbert C. Bauld
Hastings resident Delbert Chester Bauld, 87, of 513 Lane C, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Brand-Wilson Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Arthur Schakat officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mr. Bauld was born April 19, 1912, to John R. and Anna K. (Nelson) Bauld in Brocksburg. He grew up in Brocksburg and then moved to Witten, S.D., where he was a hired hand for several farmers. On Dec. 29, 1932, he married Grace Hardacre in Witten. He worked at the ammunition depots in Grand Island and Hastings. He then worked at Morrison Quirk Grain Elevators in Hastings. In 1962 he worked at the Hastings Regional Center. He retired in 1977 and moved to Guide Rock where he lived for 14 years. In 1994 he moved to Good Samaritan Village in Hastings.
Survivors are his wife; five daughters, Maxine Tobias, Marge Rothfuss and Judy Spencer, all of Hastings, Marcy Jones of Sandy, Utah, and Linda Kindig of Grand Island; two sons, Delbert of Houston and Richard of Hastings; three sisters; three brothers; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one brother.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Eugene M. 'Gene' Alexander
Area resident Eugene M. "Gene" Alexander, 70, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, in Hastings.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bladen United Methodist Church with the Rev. Baldeo Singh officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery near Bladen. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Brand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hastings.
Mr. Alexander was born May 21, 1929, to Fred R. and Ida J. (Koehler) Alexander in Bladen. He graduated from Bladen High School in 1946 and then served in the U.S. Navy for two years. He graduated from Hastings College and earned a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 1949 he married Annabelle Fritz. He was superintendent of schools at Glenvil, Stratton and Mitchell. He then enrolled in law school. In 1959 he graduated from Creighton Law School in Omaha. He established a law office in Superior and later in Hastings.
He was a member of the Bladen United Methodist Church.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Susan Alexander of Hasting; one son, Richard of Ayr; one sister, Marcella Rundus of Las Vegas; two brothers, Carroll and Fredrick, both of Superior; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one brother.
Memorials may be given to the church.
Lola Wilson
Red Cloud resident Lola (Coburn) Wilson, 92, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Anderson Kwankin officiating. Burial will be in the Red Cloud Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Wilson was born May 8, 1907, to Roy and Myrtle (Farnham) Coburn in Cawker City, Kan. She grew up and attended school in Cawker City. She married Dan Wilson in Osborne, Kan. In 1939 they moved to Russell, Kan., where they lived for 21 years. They moved to Red Cloud in 1960. On March 31, 1989, her husband died.
Survivors are one daughter, Margie Mai of Lebanon, Kan.; three grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Kathleen A. Higby
Former Chester resident Kathleen A. Higby, 43, of Clinton, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, in Columbia, Mo.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Community Bible Church in Chester with the Rev. Ray Berry officiating. Burial will be in the Chester City Cemetery. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Price Funeral Home in Hebron and two hours prior to services Saturday at the church.
Miss Higby was born June 28, 1956, to Harry and Mary (Stansbury) Higby in Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from Chester High School. She worked as a cook and waited tables for Foote Cafe in Chester. She attended Mary Lanning Nursing School in Hastings and completed her schooling in Missouri. She worked as a licensed practical nurse in Missouri.
Survivors are two brothers, Mark of Madison and Robert of Sutton.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be given in care of the funeral home.
