U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Gladys Smith
Gladys Beulah Smith was born Feb. 25, 1907, at Comers Rock, Va. to John Harvey and Ida Mae (Shoop) Comer.
When she was five, she moved with her parents to Pilger, Neb., where her father gained employment as a ranch hand.
The family then moved to a farm near Niobrara, Neb., where they settled for about 10 years and Gladys attended grade school. The Comers moved to Ogallala after that and Gladys graduated from the eighth grade.
They then moved to a farm south of Brule, Neb. and Gladys attended Perkins County High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1927.
Shortly after graduating, Gladys married
Leslie E. Smith on May 26, 1927, in Sterling, Colo. and to this union three sons were born: Stan, Gene and Les. The Smiths lived five miles north of Grant, Neb. and raised hogs, milk cows and chickens. Later they purchased a school lease 19 miles southwest of Grant and made it their home.
When Les began working as a manager for the Imperial Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Office, the family moved into Imperial proper.
They found their home in town to be very roomy so they took in Chase County High School students who boarded in town. One of those students was Gladys' second cousin, Alice Clements, whom she considered a very special adopted daughter.
When Gladys moved to Imperial, she began teaching Sunday School at the Methodist Church. She was also a United Methodist Women's Leader for two years, belonged to the Daughters' of the American Revolution, Eastern Star, was Chase County American Cancer Society Chair for 20 years and sponsored United Methodist youth trips. Gladys enjoyed playing bridge and craft work in her younger years. She loved being involved with her family and friends; just the mention of the phrase "Let's go!" would find her on the move.
Les passed away at the age of 80 in 1978 and Gladys continued to make Imperial her home until passing away early Tuesday morning, March 13, 2007, at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial, Neb. She was 100 years of age.
Survivors include: son, Stan and wife, Shirley, of Imperial, Neb.; son, Gene of Imperial, Neb.; son, Les and wife, Sue, of Imperial, Neb.; special adopted daughter, Alice Clements, and husband, Frank, of Imperial, Neb.; four grandchildren, Clyde Smith and wife, Lanette, Jane Norris and husband, Darrel, Melinda Gray and husband, Kass, Felicia Fair and husband, Randy; 10 great grandchildren: Kyle, Karlee, Alex, Lily, Lisette, Dorinda, Kevin, Shane, Jeff and Carrie; two great, great grandchildren, Olivia and Teague.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, husband Les, grandson Leslie in 1977, and daughter-in-law Nelba in 2005, brothers Carl and Donald, sisters Nana and Lois, and one infant brother.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 16, 2007, 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Imperial, with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
Visitation will be held today, Thursday afternoon, March 15, 2007, at 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home in Imperial.
A memorial has been established to the Gladys and Leslie Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Les Smith at P.O. Box 373, Imperial, Neb. 69033.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Hartman
Gladys Esther Hartman was born on Sept. 10, 1917, at Surprise, Neb., to Ray S. and Mary E. (Yordy) Way. Gladys was raised on a farm near Surprise where she attended school, graduating from Surprise High School in 1936.
On Sept. 18, 1938, at her parent's home, Gladys married
Raymond Byron Hartman. The couple farmed for many years in the Ulysses, Neb. area, until retiring in Rising City in 1970. They moved again in 1997 to Imperial to be near their children.
Gladys passed away Saturday evening, March 3, 2007, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home, Imperial. She was 89 years of age.
Gladys was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church. She was an active church organist for many years, performing for weddings and funerals as well. She was a former member of the Rebeccas and the Union Extension Club. Gladys' hobbies included crocheting and she loved her flowers and gardening.
Survivors include sons, Bob, of Champion and Gary, and wife, Nancy, of Bellwood, Neb.; daughter, Sharon Hammond, and husband, Ernie, of Ogallala; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Lucille Way of Champion and Dorene Way of La Porte, Colo.; brother-in-law, Harold Hartman, and wife, Marge, of Lincoln.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray, in 1999; five brothers, Raymond, Clarence, Elmer, Delmar and Donald; sister, Luella Marquis; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
Funeral services for Gladys Hartman were held Wednesday morning, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. (MT) at the First United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Pianist was Mrs. Marcia Bauerle and soloist Mrs. Jill Bauerle.
Casketbearers were Rob Hartman, Dan Hartman, Doug Hartman, Russell Stapert, Justin Hammond, Ron Way and Bruce Way.
Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
A memorial has been established to the music department of Chase County High School.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dwane Bell
Dwane Eugene Bell was born on Aug. 17, 1949, in Lincoln, Neb. He was the third of seven children.
Dwane attended grade school and high school at Waverly, Neb.
While growing up on a farm east of Waverly, much of his time was spent with his Grandma and Grandpa Bell who lived close by; they were both great mentors to Dwane.
In 1969, Dwane enlisted in the Military Police Corps in the U.S Air Force earning the rank of Sergeant. He served in the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1971.
Upon returning home from the service, Dwane began driving a truck for Sid Madlock in Lincoln, Neb. He drove a seven-axle dump truck with a pup hauling rock and gravel from Ashland, Neb. to various construction sites in Lincoln and Omaha, Neb.
In 1976 Dwane married
Janet Mulder. To this union was born one son, Benjamin. Dwane continued to drive a rock truck for Cather and Sons Construction and Buel Trucking.
In 1983, Dwane married
Jan Frosh. To this union three children were born: Breanne, Robert and Brian. They made their home in Lincoln and later moved to Eagle, Neb. While living in Eagle, Joel Hoyer, pastor of the LCMS Immanuel Lutheran Church greatly impacted Dwane's life. Dwane was baptized on Nov. 11, 1984, and later confirmed on May 10, 1987 at Immanual Lutheran Church.
In August 1989, Dwane and his family moved to Chase County, Neb. taking a job with Jan's father on the farm. Dwane raised chickens and hogs and took great pride in planting and caring for a large garden each year.
He worked for Wendell's Fertilizer at Lamar, Neb. and Koch Agri Services in Imperial, Neb. Through all the trucking, farming, and fertilizer days a constant companion for Dwane was a Stanley two-quart coffee thermos.
In 1998 Dwane moved to Holyoke and began driving for Sporhase Trucking.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2004, Dwane moved to Lincoln, Neb. to be closer to family and for medical care.
After a prolonged battle with cancer Dwane passed away at Tabitha Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, Neb. on Feb. 2, 2007.
Dwane was preceded in death by his father, William; and brother, Larry.
He is survived by his children Benjamin Bell of Lenoir, N.C.; Breanne Hust and husband, Joshua, of Lincoln, Neb.; Robert Bell of Sioux City, Iowa; Brian Bell of Imperial, Neb. and four grandchildren.
Mary Hobson
Mary Eloise Hobson, 94, died Friday, Febr. 23, 2007, at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kan. She was born Mar. 4, 1912, in Kansas City, Mo., to the late Kennison Marcellus and Mary Eloise Hill Hobson.
She earned her Bachelors Degree from the University of Missouri. She taught and coached basketball at several grade schools in Missouri and Nebraska prior to receiving her Masters Degree from Kansas University. She moved to Booneville where she taught science courses at Northeast Community College for over 30 years. She moved to Kansas in 1998 to help care for her sister.
She was always active in her community, working with the American Cancer Society, the American Bible Society, Adult Literacy Foundation and church missions.
Funeral services were held Mar. 1, at the First United Methodist Church in Booneville with Bro. Bobby Hankins officiating. Graveside services and burial was at the Forrest Hill Calvary cemetery in Kansas City, Mo. McMillan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by four nieces, Anne Morgan of Wichita, Kan, Jane Graffin of Bowling Green, Ohio, Edith Bosica of Germantown, Md. and Marilyn Morris of Waco, Texas; nephew, Roger Page of Princeton, N.J.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Faith Page and Martha Russell; two brothers, Samuel and Nathaniel Paul Hobson; nephew, Bruce Russell.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to he First United Methodist Church, 400 West Church Street, Booneville, MS 38829 or to the Eula Dees Memorial Library, 101 Cunningham Boulevard, Booneville, MS 38829.
Robert A. West
Robert A. West, age 86, of Wood River, Neb., formerly of York died Monday, Febr. 26, 2007 at Wood River.
He was born Febr. 27, 1920 at Wauneta, Neb. to Samuel E. and Leona L. (Churchill) West and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1939. As a young man he and his brother Gail owned and operated a "filling" station in Wauneta for several years together.
He later worked as a Nebraska Drivers License Examiner and Nebraska State Auditor retiring from the state in 1975. He then worked for the Gambles store in York for 10 years before retiring there in 1985. In addition Bob continued to help on the family farm until it was sold in 1969 and bought a home in York and continued to reside there until 2002 when Bob required special care. He spent his last months as a resident of the Western Hall County Good Samaritan Home in Wood River.
Bob enjoyed farming first and liked to do some fishing. In later years he continued to go to Imperial to help family with harvest. He enjoyed tending his yard, collecting, playing with his grandchildren and keeping the family history up to date.
Bob was a member of the East Avenue United Methodist Church in York and the Odd Fellows Lodge #210 at Wauneta.
On April 11, 1968 he was married
to Elna Rae Kitt at Imperial.
He is survived by his wife, Elna Rae, of Imperial; four step children, Lloyd Smith of Imperial, Marla Smith of Imperial, Merle Konken of Hershey and Maxine Smith of Casper, Wyo; two brothers, Gail and wife, Nona West, of Lincoln and Sam E. and wife, Cindy of Alda; two sisters, Bonnie Winkelman of Utica and Wanda and husband, Milton Winkelman, of Seward; six grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Carl and Sam A. West.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, March 2 at the Metz Chapel in York with the Reverend Walter Bailey officiating. Burial will take place in Greenwood cemetery in York. Memorials may be directed to Greenwood cemetery Improvement Fund.
Visitation was Febr. 28 after 5. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www. metzmortuary.com.
Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.
Thomas Owen Dill
Thomas Owen Dill was born Nov. 20, 1953, in Lincoln, Neb., to Thomas E. and Eleanor M. (Jesse) Dill. Tom graduated from Alliance High School in 1972 and went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees majoring in range management, ruminant nutrition and wildlife management. Tom continued his education at Oregon State University, receiving his PhD in 1991.
While receiving his education, Tom married
Margaret J. (Maggie) Cahill in St. Edward, Neb., on January 4, 1975. The couple settled in Lincoln. In 1983 Tom and Maggie moved to Stapleton, Neb., where Tom was UNL Extension Educator for Logan and McPherson Counties. In 1986 Tom served as a UNL Extension Educator for Cherry County in Valentine, Neb. In 1991 Tom and Maggie moved to Swift Current, Saskatchewan, where Tom was the head of the Grazing and Pasture Technology Program. Tom headed the Department Provincial Program in Regina, Saskatchewan, and in 1996 he was employed by Ducks Unlimited of Canada. The family moved to Imperial, Neb., in 1997 where Tom was the UNL Extension Educator for Chase, Dundy, Hayes and Hitchcock counties.
Tom passed away early Saturday morning, February 24, 2007, at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Neb. He was 53 years of age.
Tom was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Imperial, Nebraska. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #7081, of Imperial where he served many offices including Grand Knight. Tom was a past member of the Society of Range Management, Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout and God in Country). Tom enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting, fishing, playing pitch, watching John Wayne and World War II movies, following Michelle's track and cross country career, and he loved to play with granddaughter, Ashlyn.
Tom was preceded in death by his father Thomas E. Dill; grandparents Frank and Bess Jesse, Harry and Lena Bickner and John Dill; father-in-law Leo Cahill and brother-in-law Michael Cahill.
Survivors include wife, Margaret (Maggie) Dill of Imperial; mother, Eleanor Dill of Alliance; daughters, Jesse Dill and Kenny Jones of Imperial, Michelle Dill and fiancee, Taylor May, of Imperial; granddaughter, Ashlyn Jones of Imperial; sisters, Marilyn Ireland and husband, Bill, of Alliance; Cyndia Gray and husband, Doug, of Garden City, Kan.; sisters-in-law, Terri Carlston of Las Vegas, Nev., Mary Jeanne Cahill of Long Beach, Calif., Sheila Cahill of Lincoln; brothers-in-law, Kent Cahill and wife, Becky, of Deshler, Tim Cahill of St. Edward; mother-in-law, Jeanne Cahill of St. Edward.
A Rosary was recited Tuesday evening, Febr. 27, 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Imperial, with Father Mark Seiker officiating.
Mass of the Christian burial was held Wednesday morning, Febr. 28, 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Imperial, with Father Seiker officiating. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Visitation was held Tuesday afternoon, Febr. 27, 2 - 6 p.m. at the funeral home in Imperial.
Organist was Jean Farrer and soloist was Ron Moritz.
Casketbearers were Paul Bartz, John Menghini, Launy Ringleman, Stan Kubick, Tom Higley and Tom Hain. Honorary casketbearers were Lowell Nesbitt, Paul Lou, the staff of the SW4 Extension and the nurses at the DaVita Dialysis Center.
A memorial has been estabished in Tom's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Donald Cox
Donald Wayne Cox was born on Jan. 3, 1922, in Rural Chase County, Neb., to Vern and Hattie (Marvin) Cox.
Don attended rural grade school as a youngster and graduated from Chase County High School in 1941. While a student he participated in boxing, football, chorus and operetta. He was characterized by his peers as "devoted".
On January 9, 1941, Don married
Madeline Mae Dixon and together they had one son, Jerome Wayne Cox.
Don began farming in Dundy County until 1944, when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II aboard the USS Bergen. He completed his tour of duty, as a seamen First Class, on Febr. 12, 1946. Don then returned to Dundy County to resume farming and ranching, which he continued through the mid 1990's until his health forced him to retire.
Don enjoyed many hobbies, from arrowhead collecting, leather crafting, to trapshooting. He loved to hunt and fish and was always up for a game of cribbage. He was a life member of the VFW Post #4688 of Imperial and a member of the Izaak Walton League.
Don passed away Sunday evening, Febr. 18, 2007, at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home. He was 85 years, 1 month and 15 days of age.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Madeline; brother, Robert; his sisters, Dorothy Adams and Genevieve Thumlert; daughter-in-law, Virginia (Sis) Cox.
Survivors include son, Jerry Cox and his special friend, Jane Talbot of Imperial; granddaughter, Kristi Bernhardt and husband, Kurt, of Lamar; grandson, Tom Cox and wife, Cindy, of Phoenix Ariz.; four great-grandchildren, Preston, Alexa, Austin and Ryan; sister-in-law, June Cox of Wauneta.
Funeral services for Donald Cox were held Friday, Febr. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church with Daniel Marshall officiating. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Visitation was held Thursday afternoon, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Casketbearers were Bob Cox, Ron Cox, Kent Pribbeno, Rod Kerchal, Bill Greeley and Tom Cox. Honorary casketbearers were the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pianist was Gloria Marshall.
A memorial has been established to our local Ike's Chapter and the Imperial VFW.
Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
