U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Elmer W. Collins
Elmer W. Collins, 92, of Youngtown, Ariz. died on Oct. 5, 2005 at Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City, Ariz. with his family at his side. Elmer was born in Arnett, Ellis County, Okla. on Dec. 9, 1912 to Elmer Warren and Amy (Terwilliger) Collins.
The family moved to Imperial, Neb. in 1916 where Elmer grew up and attended school. He was an outstanding football and basketball player. He was on some of the best teams Chase County High School has ever had. Elmer met the love of his life, Grace Pribbeno, while attending high school and they were married
in 1930. They had two children, Edward and Gloria, who grew up in Imperial and attended CCHS also. Elmer was a member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department and the Masons.
He worked for Leech Chevrolet in Imperial for many years before moving to Denver, Colo. in 1952 where he worked for Empire Oldsmobile until he retired in 1978. After his retirement, Elmer and Grace moved to Mesa, Ariz. to be near family. In 1995, they again moved to the Baptist Village Retirement Center in Youngtown, Ariz. Elmer was a dedicated volunteer at the Cooks Care Center. He lost his eye sight to Macular Degeneration, but continued visiting the Care Center until his death. Elmer loved helping others. He and Grace were members of the South Peoria Baptist Church.
Elmer was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Grace, in 2003, his parents Warren and Amy, brother Lloyd, sisters Bertha Bernard and Hilma Brewer.
He is survived by his son, Edward and wife Shirley of Sun City, Ariz.; daughter, Gloria and husband Richard Williams of Prescott, Ariz.; brother Glenn and wife of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren Edward Collins, Christie Collins, Holly Drake, Debbie McCasland, Rick Williams and Julie Torfa; great grandchildren Richard, Angela, Laura, Nathan, Sarah, Alia, Zaid, Miles and Erin; great, great grandchildren Clayton and Ryleigh; and step grandchildren Coni, Thomas and Nicholas.
Elmer loved the Lord and his family more than anything. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. His family's lives are so much richer because of his love for them all.
A memorial service was held on Oct. 15 in the Chapel at the Baptist Village Retirement Center.
Memorials may be sent in Elmer's name to the Imperial Public Library, P.O. Box 728, Imperial, Neb. 69033.
Myrl Cranwell
Mryl Clifton Cranwell was the first born child of Willis C. Cranwell and Abigail Marshall Cranwell. He was born on Dec. 17, 1917, on the family farm near Lamar, Neb.
He grew up there and attended grade school in Lamar.
After finishing the eighth grade, he went to Chase County High School graduating with the class of 1936.
In his early years he learned electrical skills while working for Meyers and Neil Electrical Co. in Scottsbluff wiring houses and making neon signs.
In December of 1937 he was united in marriage to Ruth Tatum. Two sons, Bill and Bob were born to this union. They resided near Lamar while Myrl worked for nearby farmers.
At one time he did janitorial work at the Lamar school and drove the school bus.
During World War II he worked for Dupont Chemical, Inc. in Denver. Later he was transferred to Wilmington, Del. and moved his family there for three years.
At the end of the war the family returned to Chase County. Myrl worked for L. E. Smith for several years. Then he began farming with his father. In 1948 they drilled a well to irrigate the farm land. It was one of the earliest wells in that area.
In June of 1956 he married
Dorothy Davison and they continued to live on the family farm. They worked together raising Bill and Bob. They attended and were involved in the boys' school and 4-H activities. They were active members of the Lamar Trinity Methodist Church.
Myrl took great pride in his cattle and growing crops. He was a lifetime member of FFA and served as treasurer. He served on the Chase County Historical Board of Trustees and was Sunday School treasurer for many years.
He continued to farm until 1983. At that time he retired and moved with Dorothy to their new home in Champion. They transferred their church membership to the First United Methodist Church in Imperial. He and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and took several enjoyable tours.
Myrl enjoyed time spent with his friends at coffee. He always enjoyed his family when they could be together. The neighbor's children and grandchildren liked to visit Myrl and this delighted him. He found time to go fishing and then became a bird watcher, faithfully feeding them the year around. During this time he did volunteer work at the Senior Center.
Myrl's health began to fail following a car accident on 1993. He moved into the Imperial Manor in February of this year where he passed away on Oct. 10, 2005.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Darlene Paap and nephew, Joel Paap.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 49 years; two sons, Bill and wife, Molly of Ft. Lupton, Colo. and Bob and wife Debra of Albuquerque, N.M.; six grandchildren, Robert and wife, Shawna of Ft. Lupton, Colo., Richard of Longmont, Colo., Virginia and husband, Mark Leonard of Brighton, Colo., Cathy and husband, David Ovalle of Greeley, Colo., Heather and husband, Alex Mowl of Flagstaff, Ariz. and Robyn and husband, Eric Zacharias of Chandler, Ariz.; brother, LeRoy and wife Jerri of Greeley, Colo.; brother-in-law, Robert Paap of Conover, N.C.; former daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Cranwell; 10 great-grandchildren; three nephews; one niece and many friends.
Funeral services were held on Oct. 14 at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Music was provided by pianist, Marcia Bauerle and soloist, Jim Bohlender.
Casketbearers were Jim Tomky, Larry Castle, Kevin Cranwell, William Tomky, Tim Greene, Richard Cranwell, Kenneth Tomky and Mark Spady.
Honorary casketbearers were Jim Brown, Don Welch, Will Tomky, Robert Farrer, Dennis Spady, Laura Lou Kelly, Bud Ferebee, Wilford Miller and Charlie Beard.
Interment was held at Mount Hope cemetery in Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert 'Bob' Fleet
Fleet, Robert G. 'Bob', former hotel sales director and manager in the St. Louis area, died of lung cancer at his home in Kirkwood, Mo. He was 50 years old.
He was born in Annapolis, MD.
He earned a BA in Political Science at the University of Florida in 1976, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with a MA in Hospitality Studies at George Washington University.
In 1983, he moved to the St. Louis area and took a Sales Director position at several hotels.
Locally involved in a number of professional and service organizations, Bob was most recently President of Skal International/St. Louis. He also proudly served as a leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He also served on the Friends of KWMU Board of Directors.
In Nebraska, Bob has also been active in the establishment of Swinging Bridge Ranch in Chase County, a youth-oriented conservation and wildlife management project.
He was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in March, 2005. Shortly thereafter, he suspended his day to day hotel involvement to focus his remaining time on his children, and took numerous trips with them this year.
In addition to his daughter, Molly (Maura Ryan) and son, Bobby (Robert H.), he is survived by his sister, Ann Fleet of Monrovia, Calif. and her two children, Robin and Eric. John Flood, Bob's cousin from Annapolis, Md. and Deb Cavanagh, his loving and devoted companion, have been his closest friends and caregivers in recent months.
Bob frequently visited Chase County to hunt pheasants and enjoy the outdoors with family members.
Services were held on Oct. 11 at Forever Oak Hill Funeral Home, Kirkwood, Mo. with a private interment at Forever Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Skal International/St. Louis, 11237 Lone Eagle, Bridgeton, Mo. 63044, c/o Ann Parsons, or the Swinging Bridge Ranch, 73469 324th Avenue, Champion, Neb. 69023.
Myrl Cranwell
Myrl Cranwell, longtime resident of the Lamar and Champion areas, passed away Monday evening, Oct. 10, 2005, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. He was 87 years of age.
Survivors include: wife, Dorothy of Champion, Neb.; sons, Bill and wife, Molly of Ft. Lupton, Colo. and Robert and wife, Debra, Albuquerque, N.M.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, LeRoy Cranwell and wife, Jeri, Greeley, Colo.; former wife, Ruth Crothers of Colorado Springs, Colo.; former daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Cranwell; numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, Oct. 13, 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home in Imperial.
Funeral services will be held Friday morning, Oct. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Rainbow Promise Preschool.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Esther Harvey
Esther Florence (Miller) Harvey was born Aug. 21, 1917 in Chase County, Neb.
She died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Arbor Creek Rehab Unit in Albuquerque, N.M.
Esther was the sixth child of Locy N. and Anna C. (Wallin) Miller.
She grew up on a farm in Chase County and learned at an early age that helping others was important. Her task during the summer was to watch out for her Grandpa Wallin so he didn't wander away from the farmstead. At her mother's side, she learned early how to take care of a home.
Her parents were diligent in seeing that their children were reared in a Christian home. Sunday church was a special family time. At a young age Esther accepted Christ as her personal savior and had peace the rest of her life that she would spend eternity in Heaven.
At one of the church services a young farmer by the name of O. C. "Jim" Harvey saw Esther and decided that someday he was going to marry "that pretty little redheaded gal." His dream came true on June 13, 1935, when he and Esther were married
in Broken Bow, Neb. by Esther's uncle, Rev. Ralph Miller. Esther loved to tell that her wedding happened on that day because it had rained and Jim couldn't work in the field.
Their first home was on a farm in Chase County about two miles from her parents. While living there, their first daughter, Olive, was born. Five years later their second daughter, Arlene, arrived.
In 1944 they purchased a farm in Phillips County and lived there until 1954 when they sold the farm and moved to Holyoke, Colo. They purchased the Sweet Shop which they operated for 26 years.
After selling their business they were able to go see friends and relatives across the country. When Jim's health failed, Esther was his constant companion until he died. After his death she took care of friend's children while they worked. To many people she became known as Granny.
For the past two years Esther had been staying with her daughter, Arlene in N.M.
Esther and Jim loved people and opened their hearts to many people, but one special person was Donna (Spohn) Lutze, a friend of Arlene's. Through the years Donna became a third "daughter" to them and her children became their grandchildren.
Preceding Esther in death was her husband, her daughter Olive, granddaughter Christina Marie (Lutze) Bishop, grandson Thomas Edward Lutze, her parents, brothers Thornton and Fred and sister Clara.
She is survived by her daughters Arlene and husband Willie of Grants, N.M. and Donna and husband Leroy of Holyoke, Colo.; grandsons Don Lutze of Greeley, Colo. and Mark Lutze, wife Mendi and great granddaughters Josilyn and Janessa, all of Holyoke, Colo.; her brother Wilfred Miller and wife Helen of Imperial, Neb.; sister Inez Ball of Pleasant Hill, Ill.; sisters-in-law Ardith Wallin of Imperial, Neb., and Grace Blanke of Holyoke, Colo.; special family Mark, Laurie, Krystal, April and Kurtis Brown, all of Holyoke, Colo. and Gene and Nancy Fisher of Platteville, Colo.; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held at the Grace Baptist Church in Milan, N.M., Monday, Sept. 19, 2005 with Pastor Dale Thatcher officiating.
Memorial services will be held in Colorado at the First Baptist Church in Holyoke, Colo. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005 at 3 p.m. with Pastor Gary Jones officiating.
Interment will be at Pleasant Valley cemetery in Phillips County.
Doris Martin
Doris Elaine Martin was born on Sept. 29, 1918 in Lincoln, Neb., the second child of four.
Doris completed her schooling and graduated from Chase County High School in 1938. She earned her teaching degree and taught school for several years.
On August 20, 1941 she was united in marriage to Joe E. Martin of Lamar, Neb. They made their home on the family farm until 1977.
Two children Phil Kent and Sondra Jo blessed her life with love and happiness. Doris was very family oriented and cared for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all her life.
She was a beautiful seamstress, wonderful cook and an avid baseball fan.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; son, Phil; daughter, Sondra; one brother, Earl and one sister, Melva.
The extended family that remains, one brother, Don; Phil's girls, DeeDee, Dawn and Diann. Sondra's children, Toni, Troy and Toby; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and special friends. Doris entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Oct. 1, 2005 at the age of 87.
Services were held Oct. 4 at the Jeffers-Baucke Funeral Home Chapel, Holyoke, Colo.
Ola Bartlett
Ola Marie (Roper) Bartlett was born June 13, 1917 on Taylor River Ranch above Almont, near Gunnison, Colo. to Albert P. and Mabel E. (Wilson) Roper, and passed away in her sleep, Sept. 30, 2005 in Imperial, Neb. at the age of 88.
Ola attended grade school and graduated high school in Gunnison, Colo. She was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Bartlett in 1941. They lived on a ranch near Gunnison for a short time before moving to Max, Neb. where her husband's parents lived. That same year Bob was drafted into the army, so Ola stayed with one of her older sisters for a part of his absence. Upon her husband's return, they eventually settled in southwest Nebraska.
To this union three sons were born: Richard Alan, James Edward and Randy Lynn. Ola was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards and taking their annual winter trip to Mission, Texas.
Ola is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Aline, Lorena, Gladys, Carol and Noella. She is survived by her husband, Bob; three children, Richard of Salt Lake City, Utah, James and Jennifer of Brighton, Colo., Randy and Deb of Imperial, Neb.; six grandchildren, Magen Bartlett, Krystal Bartlett, both of Salt Lake City, Utah, Tarah Bartlett and Shane Sable of Dacona, Colo., Shannon and Dru Jaeger of Kearney, Neb., Amanda Bartlett and Rick Head of Aspen, Colo. and Tammy and Dennis Aulston of Sterling, Colo.; five great-grandchildren and five siblings, Helen Hassell, Evelyn Duncan, J.C. and Dorothy Roper, Bob and Lucile Roper, Anna Mae Wall and many nieces and nephews.
Ola was loved by all and will be missed deeply.
Services were held on Oct. 4 at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Music was provided by Marcia Bauerle and Kim Silvester.
Casketbearers were Randy Bartlett, James Bartlett, Richard Bartlett, Dru Jaeger, Dennis Aulston and Ron Berry.
Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
