U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
'Jack' Kamper
HIGHLAND, Ill. -- John L. "Jack" Kamper, 74, of Highland, Ill., died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002, at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland. The Rev. David Peters will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic cemetery with military honors by Lee Iten Post No. 439, and American Legion and VFW Post No. 5694, both in Highland.
Memorials are suggested to Friends Van at St. Joseph, St. Joseph Home Health or the Kristi Ann Seger Memorial Scholarship.
Mr. Kamper was born Dec. 20, 1927, at Palmer to John A. and Matilda "Millie" (Kunze) Kamper. He was raised in Palmer and graduated from high school in Grand Island.
He served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 5, 1946, to Oct. 31, 1947. He was a ship machinist at Newport, R.I., U.S. Navy Training Station in the Atlantic. Following his discharge he worked as a land surveyor for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Nebraska. He worked as a machinist for the Cornhusker Army Depot in Grand Island and the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hastings. He then worked for the Mike Missie Base in Mead.
He married
Wilma Elvira Corbeil on May 8, 1950, in Hastings. In 1966, he moved from Wahoo to Highland and worked for the Granite City Army Depot in Granite City, Ill. After it closed, he was transferred to the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis until retiring in December 1982.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, gardening, dancing and playing cards, especially Euchre.
He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1580 and was a life member of VFW Post No. 5694, all in Highland.
Survivors include his wife; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Debbie Kamper of Thomson, Ill.; three daughters and a son-in-law, Connie and Michael Seger of St. Jacob, Ill., Jolene Campbell of Springfield, Mo., and Joyce Kamper of Highland; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, David John Kamper; one brother, William Kamper, and one grandchild.
Doris Varvel
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Doris D. Varvel, 86, of Surprise, Ariz., died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West, Ariz.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Camino Del Sol Funeral Home in Sun City West.
Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association in Denver.
'Brad' Elkins
Bradley "Brad" Eugene Elkins, 37, of Grand Island died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at All Faiths Funeral Home. The Rev. Richard Karohl will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Island City Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials will be established in his memory.
Mr. Elkins was born Sept. 24, 1964, at Grand Island to Darrell Elkins and Jeanette Klabenes. He grew up and attended school in Grand Island, graduating from Northwest High School in 1983. He played on the Northwest Championship Football Team in 1981. He then attended Nebraska Technical and Agricultural College in Curtis.
He moved to Texas where he attended farrier school. With his mother and brother he owned and operated B's Pro Clean. He and his mother also owned J.B. Cattle Company.
He was a member of PBR for five years. He enjoyed motor cross riding, raising beef cattle and longhorns, bull riding and bull riding promotion. He started junior rodeo schools for young people and also promoted Bullramas for two years.
Survivors include his wife, LeeAnn; a son, Cody W. Elkins; his mother and stepfather, Jeanette and Lonnie Erickson of Grand Island; his father and stepmother, Darrell "Butch" and Gretchen Elkins of Grand Island; a brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Becky Elkins of Omaha; a sister, Jennifer Elkins of Grand Island; and his grandmother, Genevieve Klabenes of Chambers.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emil Klabenes and Stan and Jean Elkins.
Ethel Lockhorn
Ethel Lockhorn, 83, of Grand Island died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna. The Rev. Rodney L. Pruss will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant cemetery in Cairo.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church with a 7 p.m. rosary.
Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Eckstrom
CENTRAL CITY -- Charles F. Eckstrom, 91, of Central City, formerly of Palmer, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Church of Christ in Palmer. The Rev. Gil Larsen will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill cemetery in Palmer.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Palmer Funeral Home in Palmer.
Gary Ferris
SILVER CREEK -- Gary Ferris, 57, of Silver Creek died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Lawrence Church in Silver Creek. The Rev. Bev Minor will officiate. Burial will be in Silver Creek cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post 263.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Mr. Ferris was born June 11, 1944, at Littleton, Colo., to Bernard and Lillian (Nightingale) Ferris. He graduated in 1962 from Central High School in Pueblo, Colo. He worked various jobs in California and Wyoming until he joined the U.S. Army in 1966. He was stationed in Germany until 1968 when he reported for duty in Vietnam. While serving as a tank commander in the 2nd Battalion of the 34th Armored Division, he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged in 1969.
He married
Eugenia Kula on Sept. 5, 1970, in Krakow. After his discharge, he began a 33-year career in banking and insurance at Farmers State Bank and Tereco Insurance Co. in Silver Creek. He became president and CEO of the bank in 1986 and served on the board of directors at the Bank of Clarks.
He was a member of Osceola Lodge 65 A.F. and A.M. He volunteered his time to various organizations including Jaycees, Silver Creek School Board, American Legion and ABC Club. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, motorcycles and playing with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ron and Cindy Ferris of Omaha and Ryan and Carolyn Ferris of Silver Creek; a daughter, Kasey Ferris of Lincoln; four grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene and Barbara Ferris of Reno, Nev., and Jim and Rena Ferris of Paoli, Okla.; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Bette Stephens of Denver, and Susan and Rick Jones of Wewoka, Okla.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Ron Ferris.
Donald Humphrey
GILTNER -- Donald "Ski" E. Humphrey, 82, of Giltner died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002 at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at United Methodist Church in Giltner. The Revs. Nora Leeds and Jim Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood cemetery near Giltner.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora.
Mr. Humphrey was born April 23, 1919, on the family farm south of Giltner to Harvey and Grace (Hangar) Humphrey. He grew up on the family farm and attended Giltner School. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
He married
Virginia Elaine Nelson on Aug. 28, 1948, in Hastings. The couple lived on a farm south of Giltner. His wife died May 29, 2001.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Giltner, Keystone Masonic Lodge 62 of Phillips, Greenwood Club and American Legion Post 300 of Doniphan. He enjoyed his family, playing his violin, bowling and flying.
Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Hutchison of Omaha and Holly Brooks of Doniphan; three sons and daughters-in-law, Harvey Humphrey of Giltner, Loren and Cindy Humphrey of Grand Island and Allen and Ielene Humphrey of Giltner; 15 grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Florence and Murray Campbell of El Paso, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Devonne Humphrey of Aurora.
He was preceded in death by his wife, brothers, Paul and Harold Humphrey and an infant brother, Wesley, and a son-in-law, Lt. Col. William C. Hutchison.
Edward Huryta
RAVENNA -- Edward Huryta, 86, of Ravenna died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna. The Rev. Mark Cadenbach will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Park cemetery in Ravenna.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Ravenna EMTs.
Mr. Huryta was born July 26, 1915, in Sherman County to William and Anna (Kuticka) Huryta. He attended District 42 School and graduated from Ravenna High School in 1933. After graduation, he played in a band, The Huryta Bohemian Orchestra, for a number of years.
He married
Alexandria Bartunek on March 8, 1943, in Farwell. The couple lived and farmed in the Hayestown area. They retired in Ravenna in 1993.
He was a member of United Methodist Church and Lions Club. He served on the school board, township board and Sherman County Supervisors Board.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Lynn Huryta of Ravenna and Gordon Huryta of Thornton, Colo.; a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Ron Vogt of Ravenna; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Marvin, and a brother, Dale.
