U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
'Morris' McGuire
WOOD RIVER -- Francis "Morris" McGuire, 81, of Wood River, died Friday, July 31, 1998, at the Lakeview Rehab-Nursing Center in Grand Island.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wood River. Father Ray Kosmicki, Father Don Larmore, and Father Tom Down will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Mary's Church, with Rosary recited at 7 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to Damien Leper Society.
Mr. McGuire was born Dec. 19, 1916, north of Wood River to Matthias and Catherine (Neville) McGuire. He attended Hall County District 5 School and Graduated From Wood River High School in 1933.
He married
Monica McCann on Aug. 12, 1950. He farmed in Wood River, and was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Church, where he served on the cemetery board for 35 years. Mr. McGuire also was a member of the Legion of Mary.
Mr. McGuire is survived by his wife, Monica, three daughters, Julie, of Denver, Angela Nickel of Kearney, and Kate of Grand Island; three sons, John of Kearney, Patrick of Newton, Iowa, and Matt of Wood River, and one grandson.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Margaret Ann, a son, Tim, three brothers, Lawrence, Robert and Martin, and two sisters, Naomi McGuire and Mary Louise Skinner.
Mervin Winter
SCOTIA -- Mervin Winter, 82, of Scotia died Thursday, July 30, 1998, at the Greeley Care Home.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Scotia Zion Lutheran Church. The Revs. Bob Paulson and Mark Middendorff will officiate. Burial will be the Mount Hope cemetery in Scotia with military rites by the Scotia American Legion Post 150. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Ord Memorial Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Scotia Zion Lutheran Church or Scotia Rescue Unit. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge in arrangements.
Mr. Winter was born on June 15, 1916, to William and Katharina (VonKampen) near Scotia. He grew up on the family farm east of Scotia and attended District 2N Rural School and Scotia High School. He farmed until 1941 when he enlisted in the Army.
He served in the US Army from 1941 to 1945. He graduated from AAF Advanced Pilot School at Ellington Field Texas. As a member of the 870th Bomb Squad, he flew the B-29 on various missions in the Asiatic Pacific. His decorations for service included a World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and American Theater Service Medal. After his discharge, he returned to Scotia where he continued to farm.
He married
Constance Brown at Zion Lutheran Church in Scotia. The couple lived and farmed in the Fish Creek community until 1986 when they moved into Scotia.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Scotia. He was baptized and confirmed at this church. Through the years, he served on various church boards and committees. He was on the building committee to build the present church.
He was a past member of the District 2N School Board, the Loup Valley Coop, the Rural Fire Department and a member of the American Legion Post 150 at Scotia.
Survivors include his wife; one son, David Winter of Scotia; two daughters, Sonja (Mrs. Mike) Gartner of Doniphan and Barbara (Mrs. Randall) Zurfluh of Lincoln; four grandchildren; a twin brother, Malvin of Scotia; and two sisters, Anna Medbery of Grand Island and Lorine Johnson of Scotia.
Millard Abel
Millard J. Abel, 66, of Grand Island died Monday, Sept. 14, 1998, at his home.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. The Rev. John Douglas Russell will officiate. Following the services, Mr. Abel will be cremated. A private family burial will be at a later date.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday at Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to the church.
Mr. Abel was born on Oct. 8, 1931, at Rockville to John G. and Frances (Markvicka) Abel. He grew up and graduated from high school in Rockville.
He entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 18, 1952, and served during the Korean War. He was discharged on Nov. 1, 1954. After his discharge, he continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He married
Darline J. Preisendorf on Aug. 30, 1957, in Grand Island. The couple lived in Grand Island. He sold medical equipment to doctors and hospitals. He owned and operated nursing homes in St. Paul and Norfolk. He shared partnerships in banks in Grand Island and Gresham. He also bred and raced thoroughbred horses.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served for many years on the Fonner Park board of directors, was appointed by the governor to serve on the Nebraska Licensure Board for three terms, was appointed to serve on the Nebraska Nursing Home Advisory Board for several terms and was an admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska.
He also served as a lobbyist for the National Health Care Association, past president of the Regional Health Care Association and past vice president of the Nebraska Health Care Association (under the terms of Govs. Charles Thone, James Exon and Norbert Thiemann).
His hobbies included flying, hunting, fishing and sports.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Kim (Mrs. Russ) Rerucha and Dawn (Mrs. Albert) Werner, both of Grand Island; two grandsons; and one brother, Max E. Abel of Manahawkin, N.J.
He was preceded in death by one brother, John.
Christopher Arnold
Christopher Todd Jeffery Arnold, infant son of Brian Arnold and Kassie Inks of Grand Island, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Grand Island City Cemetery. The Rev. Fred Weiss will officiate.
There will be no visitation. Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Christopher was born on Sept. 12, 1998, at St. Francis.
Survivors include his parents; maternal grandmother, Kimberly Garrison; and paternal grandparents, Karen and Ronald Childers.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Jeffrey Inks.
Steven Avila
Steven C. Avila, 47, of Grand Island died Sunday, Sept. 13, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Revs. Julie Bringelson and George Wheat will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the Steven C. Avila Memorial Fund.
Mr. Avila was born on June 14, 1951, at Grand Island to Charles and Dolores (Reynaga) Avila. He grew up and was educated in Aurora and Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1970.
He married
Cindy Martin on June 10, 1972, at Grand Island. He worked for New Holland for 20 years and at Hornady Manufacturing for the past 10 years.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Northwest Booster Club, Saddle Club and YMCA. He was active with the Mexican American Scholarship Fund and was an avid golfer and Nebraska football fan.
He enjoyed being active with his children's school activities. He was recognized by several Hispanic publications for his contributions to the arts.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Dustin of Omaha and Marty at home; his parents, of Grand Island; and a brother, Benjamin Avila of Houston.
Emma N. Grosshans
Emma N. Grosshans, 87, of Grand Island died Saturday, Sept. 12, 1998, at her home.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The Rev. Jerry Quandt will officiate.
There will be no visitation. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice.
Survivors include a cousin, Ross Roach of Westminster, Colo.; and special friends, Larry and Joyce Larson and children of Grand Island.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan, in October 1989.
