Obituaries - W

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Thomas Whitmore

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent Monday, April 22, 1940, page 4

FORMER SHELTON MAN DIES IN WEST

Shelton, Neb., Apr. 22 (Special)-Postmaster Martin SLATTERY has been notified of the death at Portland, Ore., of Thomas WHITMORE, 60, who lived in Shelton for a great many years. When a yhoung man he engaged in shearing sheep and followed other vocations in this community. For the past 20 years or more he had been a traveling representative of a Chicago firm which manufactures and destributes sheep shearing equipment, sheep dip, as well as many other products. His territory covered a greater part of the United States, and he had visited at the SLATTERY home once every year for the past 15 years. Mr. WHITMORE is survived by a wife and step-daughter living in Portland.

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Julia Warner

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent Thursday, April 18, 1940, page 4

DEATH OF JULIA FRANCES WARNER

Mrs. Julia WARNER, 75, died at her home, 2325 North Lafayette street, at eight o'clock this morning. Mrs. WARNER was taken suddenly ill last Monday evening. An interal ailment, complicated by her advanced years, was the cause of death. Julia Frances HURLEY, was born July 5, 1864, at Peoria, Ill., where she grew to young womanhood. She accompanied her parents to Geneva, Nebr., when 18 years old. Julia HERLEY married Alfred WARNER at Geneva in 1886. They made their home in Geneva and then settled on a farm near to Ohiowa, Neb. After the death of Mr. Warner many years ago, she made her home with relatives near to Ohiowa and Crete. She came to this city in 1919 and purchased her home on North Lafayette street. She is survived by two grandchildren, Daniel HINTHORN and Mrs. Charles McCASLIN, both of this city, and three brothers, Frank HURLEY and Miles HURLEY of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Irving HURLEY of Ohiowa. Her only daughter, Mrs. Selestene Francis HINTHORN, an only son, a half-sister, Mrs. J. A. TROYER, and two sisters preseced her in death. Funeral rites will be held at the Livingston-Sondermann funeral home Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. The Rev. Frederick L. Gilson, pastor of the First Baptist church, will conduct the services. Burial will be in Grand Island cemetery.

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Emil Wegner

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent Friday, May 3, 1940, page 4

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR EMIL WEGNER

Rites for Emil WEGNER, long-time farm resident of the community, were held at the Livingston-Sondermann funeral home yesterday afternoon. Rev. Rudolph MOEHRING, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, conducted the services and Mrs. Earnest HAACK and Mrs. A. A. ROESER, accompnied by Mrs. F. J. TITT, sang two hymns. Members of the Sons of Hermann lodge served as an honorary escort and bestowed their ritualistic tribute at the grave in the family plot in the Grand Island cemetery. Bernhardt WIESE, Albert SCHOENSTEIN, Frank KUNZE, Henry STOLTENBERG, H. E. STOLTENBERG and Dr. J. F. HOEFT served as pallbearers. Relatives attending from out of the city were Mr. and Mrs. Henry LaFRANCE and family of Center, Hanz SCHROEDER, Richard SCHROEDER and Blanche SCHROEDER all of Niobrara, Mrs. John MOELLER of Bloomfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry HANSEN and Leverne HANSEN of Ashton.

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John Wiese

Submitter: Jackie Little Source: The Cairo Record February. 13, 1986

John H. Wiese, 82, of Grand Island, died Monday, February 10 (1986). Services will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home in Grand Island. the Rev. Nancy Ksye Kinner will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church at Wood River. Mr. Wiese was born December 11, 1903, on a farm near Bennington, the son of Herman and Anna Kuhl Wiese. He received his education and grew up there. In 1925, he moved to the Cairo area. In 1927 he married Mary Larsen. They farmed in the Cairo area until 1937, when he entered constuction work. In 1942 he joined the U. S. Army, serving until March 1943. In 1950 he married Zola Thomas at Lincoln. He was self-employed as an elecrician for several years, and in 1956 went to work for Southern Nebraska Public Power Co., retiring in 1968. He then worked for City Motors in Grand Island until 1980. Mrs. Wiese died May 2, 1977. On April 28, 1979, he married Elsie Green at Wood River. They lived in Grand Island. He was a member of the Wood River United Methodist Church, Eagles Aerie No. 378 in Grand Island and was a Golden Eagle. He also was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. Survivors include his wife; a brother Walter of Seattle, Wash.; four stepdaughters and two step sons. He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.

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Herbert Whitefoot

Submitter: Jackie Little Source: The Cairo Record February 25, 1982

Herbert H. Whitefoot, 67, of Fort Smith, Ark., formerly of Boelus and Cairo, died Monday (15 February 1982) in Fort Smith. Services were held Thursday, February 18 at Apfel Funeral Home in Cairo, with the Rev. Michael McMurtry officiating. Burial was in Soulville Cemetery at Boelus. Pallbearers were Lynn Whitefoot, Don Whitefoot, Roger Whitefoot, Ronald Whitefoor, Dick Whitefoot and Gene Whitefoot. Mr. Whitefoot was born October 3, 1914, at Boelus, the son of Henry and Elizabeth Koehler Whitefoot. He was educated in Boelus. On October 22, 1934, he married Thelma Hedglin at St. Paul. They lived in the Boelus area before moving to Cairo and then to Grand Island. In 1979 they moved to Fort Smith Ark. Mr. Whitefoot was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island, the Liederkranz Society and the Saddle Club. Survivors include his widow; two daughters, Mrs. Ilene Russell of Fort Smith, Ark., and Mrs. Donna Pritschau of Ravenna; five grandchildren; one great-grahdchild; two sisters Mrs. Mary Gallagher of Grand Island and Mrs. Rita Bondgard of Lodgepole and a brother, Delbert of Junction City, Kan. He was preceded in death by six brothers and nine sisters.

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Mrs. J. Wodarski

Submitter: Jsckie Little Source: Unknown ca. November 1972

Mrs. Twyla Woderski, wife of John Wodarski and a native of Cairo, died Friday (Nov. 24, 1972) at a hospital in Charlotte, N.C. She had been ill for the past five months. Funeral rites were held at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church Monday morning. Burial was at the Sharron Memorial Park Cemetery in Charlotte. Mrs. Wodarski was born Dec. 18, 1919, at Cairo to John and Ella Schuett. She grew to womanhood in that community. She is survived by her widower, John; four children; two brothers, of Grand Island; two sisters of Sacramento, Calif., and Las Vegas, Nev. and on step-granddaughter.

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Roy Woodring

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island IndependentFriday, December 5, 1997

CENTRAL CITY -- Roy Woodring, 84, of Central City died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City. Services are pending for Saturday with Solt Funeral Home in Central City. More details will appear later.

Source: Grand Island Independent Saturday, December 6, 1997

CENTRAL CITY -- Roy Woodring, 84, of Central City died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Solt Funeral Home in Central City with the Rev. Debra Tompsett-Welch officiating. Burial will be in the Central City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Central City American Legion Baseball program. Mr. Woodring was born on June 28, 1913, in Pattonsburg, Mo., to W.C. and Lucy (Dannar) Woodring. The family moved to Nebraska in 1919, and he graduated from Aurora High School. He married Mildred I. VanPelt on Sept. 19, 1937, in Aurora. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was service manager for Wortman Motor Co. He became engineer for the city of Aurora in 1964 and retired from that job in 1978. After retirement, he again worked at Wortman's in various capacities. The couple moved to Central City in 1991. Mrs. Woodring died on May 10, 1993. Mr. Woodring moved to Merrick Manor in 1993 and had been at Community Care of America in Central City for about two months. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Aurora and later transferred to the United Methodist Church in Central City. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 42 and a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Grand Island. He enjoyed woodworking. Survivors include one daughter, Sondra (Mrs. Myron) Foulk of Central City; one son, Mike Woodring of Keokuk, Iowa; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Other than his wife, he was preceded in death by one great-grandson.

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Stephen E. Willy

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent Tuesday, December 2, 1997

HASTINGS -- Stephen E. Willy, 91, of Hastings died Sunday, Nov. 30, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Hastings. The Rev. John J. McCabe will officiate. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery at Hastings. A rosary will be at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Butler-Volland Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the church. Mr. Willy was born on Dec. 13, 1905, in Orleans to Simon and Agatha (Burbach) Willy. He married Gladys Sieckman on Dec. 24, 1927, in Belleville, Kan. He moved from Deshler to Hastings in 1929 and was part owner of Willy's Body Shop. He was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church and UCT and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Gerald P. Willy, Jan S. Willy and James A. Willy, all of Hastings; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother.

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Margaret Whitaker

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent Saturday, December 6, 1997

FULLERTON -- Margaret Whitaker, 94, of Fullerton died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, at the Fullerton Manor. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Fullerton. The Rev. Jim Howland will officiate. Burial will be in the Fullerton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Palmer Funeral Home. Mrs. Whitaker was born on April 25, 1903, in Fullerton to Benjamin and Mary (Feeney) Seely. She lived in Fullerton most of her life. She married Leonard B. "Bert" Whitaker in 1923. The couple farmed in Vivion, S.D., for a few years, then returned to Fullerton to raise their family. Mrs. Whitaker was active in the First Presbyterian Church as a longtime Sunday school teacher, a church circle member and a deacon. She also was a member of the Social Hour Extension Club. She had an extensive flower garden, large vegetable garden and orchard. Survivors include two sons, Max of Silverton, Ore., and Ronald of North Canton, Ohio; two daughters, Phyllis (Mrs. Douglas) Hadfield of Fullerton and Shirley Anderson of Overland Park, Kan.; 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1988. She also was preceded in death by two infant children, five brothers and four sisters.

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Alvin White

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent January 4, 1998

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Gollaher Chapel of Trinity United Methodist Church with (he Rev. Jocelyn Tupper officiating. Burial will be in (he Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at Apfel-Buller-Geddes Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the American Parkinson's Disease Foundation or Trinity United Methodist Church. Mr. White was bom on March 9, 1913, to Willard and Hazel (Jenkins) White at Alda. He grew up and was educated at Alda Public Schools. In 1933, he moved to Grand Island and worked for Grand Island Livestock Company. He later worked for Consolidated Mills, Consumer Public Power and Schuff s working for the Cily of Grand Island's light department. He married Jane B. Krehmke on June 12, 1938, at Grand Island. The couple lived in Grand Island. He continued to work for the City of Grand Island, until his hobby of restoring antique cars became a full-lime job. He restored antique cars until his health began to fail. His wife died on Sept. 16, 1997. Survivors include one daughter. Tern (Mrs. Paul) Hongsermeier of Grand Island; one son, Todd J. White of Grand Island; one grandson; and two brothers, Wesley While and Don While, both of Grand Island. He was preceded in death by his wife, and a brolher, Billy.

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Dorothy E. Walthall

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent January 8, 1998

Dorothye E. Walthall, 89. of Grand Island, who taught at Howard Elementary. School for 37 1/2 years, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at Tiffany Square Care Center. Services will be at 10 am. Saturday at Calvary Assembly of God Church. The Rev. Steve Warriner will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 pm. Friday at Apfel-Butler—Geddes Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Abundant Life Christian Center or the donor's choice. Miss Walthall was born on June 14, 1908, at Wichita, Kan, to Frank F. and Brosia (F ulk) Walthall. She grew up in Phelps County and graduated from Atlanta High School near Holdrege in 1926. She began nurse's training with the first class that entered Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln in the fall of 1926. Because of family illness, she was not permitted to continue her training. Miss Walthall received her bachelor of arts degree in education from Kearney State Teachers College. She taught in Nebraska for 44 years. In addition to teaching at Howard Elementary School in Grand Island, she taught in Atlanta and Hyannis. She did her graduate work at the University of Wyoming in Laramie; Greeley, Colo., Teachers College; Western State College at Gunnison. Colo.; and State Teachers College in Kirksville, Mo. She was a member of the Nebraska Retired Teachers Association and a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. As a member of the Abundant Life Christian Center, she was active in women's ministries and hosted a Bible study in her home for 13 years. She taught Sunday school for 30 years. She also enjoyed reading. Survivors include several cousins.

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Leona V. Wiese

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent January 3, 1998

WOOD RIVER -- Leona V. Wiese. 83, of Wood River died Saturday. Jan. 24, 1998, at the Wood River Good Samaritan Center. Services will be 10:30 am. Tuesday at the Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River with the Rev. Steven Heinsen officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm. Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Wood River Good Samaritan Center. Apfel Funeral Home of Wood River is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Wiese was born on May 19, I914, in Grand Island to Charles and Adaila (Harders) Kloppenburg. She grew up and was educated in Grand Island. She married Rudy Wiese on Sept. 5, 1934, at Kearney. 'lhe couple lived on the family farm in Wood River all of their married life. Mr. Wiese died April 25. 1988. Mrs. Wiese continued to live on the farm until her health forced her to move into the Wood River Good Samaritan Center in August 1995. Survivors include one son, Gary of Wood River; one daughter. Shanon Gloe of Wood River; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter at birth; two sisters and one brother.

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Ruth R. Wersta

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent January 16, 1998

Ruth R. Wersta, 92, of Grand Island died Thursday, Jan. 15, 1998, at Community Care of America in Grand Island. Services will be at II am. Tuesday at Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home. The Rev. Jocelyn Tupper will officiate. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Wyuka Cemetery at Lincoln. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church or Stuhr Museum. Mrs. Wersta was born on July 4, 1905, at Oakland to Charles P. and Helen K. (Gettert) Lang. She grew up and was educated in Oakland. She graduated from Fairmont Public School in 1922. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University for two years and graduated from the University of Nebraska in I927. She then began teaching at Walnut Junior High School. She married Alex J. Wersta on Dec. 28, 1945, at Grand Island. The couple lived in Grand Island, where she continued teaching at Walnut Junior High. She retired in I97I. She worked in the Stuhr Museum collections department from I973 to 1986, accepting gifts, indexing, storing and preserving artifacts. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Order of the Eastern Star No. 148 in Lincoln. Survivors include cousins. She was preceded in death by one brother, Eugene R. Lang.

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Walter D. Webster

Submitter: Volunteer Source: Grand Island Independent January 12, 1998

WOOD RIVER < Walter D. Webster. 88, of Wood River died Friday, Jan. 9. 1998. at St. Francis Medical Center. Services will be at [0:30 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Wood River. The Rev. Larry Nothstine will officiate. Burial will be in the Wood River Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice. Mr. Webster was born on Sept. 2, I909, at Gibbon to Carl and Hattie (Roach) Webster. He grew up in Gibbon and attended school there. He married Dorothy Camp on May 19, 193], in Smith Center, Kan. The couple moved to Gibbon and then to a farm east of Wood River in I947. They moved to a new home in Wood River in I973. Mr. Webster was a well-known farmer in the area. Survivors include three sons. L. James Webster of Loveland, Colo.. and Richard W. and John D. Webster. both of Wood River; one daughter, E. Marlea (Mrs. Ray) Lassonde of Grand Island; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; and one sister, Hazel Cox of Amboy, Minn. His wife died on Feb. 13, 1996. He also was preceded in death by one grandson. one great-great-grandson and two brothers.

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