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Eli Essay, Jr. 1927-2004
Eli Essay, Jr., 76, Alliance, Neb., died Tuesday, July 20, 2004 at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance. A wake service will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A mass of Christian burial will follow Saturday, July 24 at 10 a.m. also at the church with Father Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials have been established to the Holy Rosary Catholic Church or Box Butte General Hospital.
Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Alliance is in charge of arrangements.
Eli was born Sept. 12, 1927 in Alliance, the son of Elias and Martha (Mohanna) Essay.
He married Joan Mohanna June 10, 1957 in Valentine, Neb.
Eli was president of the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Alliance. He had also served on the boards of the WIS-PAK Canning Company and the LIN-PEPCO Bottling Company, and was past president of the Soft Drink Association.
Eli was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church where he had also served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Knight’s of Columbus and past member of the St. Agnes Academy School Board where he had served as president.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Essay of Alliance; sons, Chuck and wife Pat Essay of Alliance and John Essay of New York, N.Y.; daughter, Cheryl and husband Rick Murray of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother, John and wife Blanche Essay of Alliance; sister, Freda Malooley of Indianapolis, Ind. and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.
George P. Taylor, VIII 1936-2004
George P. “Butch” Taylor, Ph.D., 68, of Atlanta, Ga., died Tuesday, July 6, 2004 at his home surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service was held July 10 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.
The Cremation Society of the South in Marietta, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 3098 St. Anne’s Lane, Atlanta, GA 30327 or to the George P. Taylor, VIII Memorial Scholarship, Tongue River Community Foundation in c/o Arthur McDonald, Ph.D., Box 47, Ashland, MT 57003.
George was born on June 5, 1936 in Superior, Neb., the son of Florence Elizabeth “Betty” and Dr. George P. Taylor. He was raised and graduated high school in Sidney.
George received his BA from Midland College in Fremont, Neb., his Masters Degree from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
George taught at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and Georgia State University in Atlanta. He was in private practice as a clinical psychologist for over 30 years.
George served in many positions with the Georgia Psychological Association and American Psychological Association as well as at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.
He lived and loved with passion and humor and was a source of strength and compassion to many. George will be truly missed and always loved.
Survivors include his wife, Meg of Atlanta; daughter, Anne Lvov; three sons, George P., Sean Lars and Michael Justin; sister, Barbara Michele of Buffalo, Wyo.; brother, Richard of Greenwood Village, Colo. and seven grandchildren, Nikolal, Collier, Alex, Reeves, Miller, Aiden and Mattle.
Normagene Gray
1929-2004
Normagene Gray, 75, Sidney, died Friday, July 30, 2004 at Beverly Healthcare in Scottsbluff, Neb. Funeral will be held Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Potter with Pastor Mary Frohs officiating. Burial will follow in the Potter Cemetery.
Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Friends can call at the funeral home Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Memorials have been established to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Normagene “Jeannie” Gray was born Jan. 17, 1929 in Beatrice, Neb., the daughter of Earl H. and Irma Fern (Currier) Nickels.
She was raised and attended schools in Beatrice and graduated from Beatrice High School.
Jeannie married Jack L. Gray on December 25, 1947 in Seagraves, Texas. Through their 59 yrs. of marriage, the couple lived in six different states and in 20 different cities. Raising two sons along the way kept them busy, with Potter being the only place they called home.
Jeannie loved horseshoe pitching, rug making and metal detecting and especially her meetings with the “Red Hat Society.” She was a member of the Red Hat Society and the First Lutheran Church in Potter.
Survivors include her two sons, Jack and wife Roberta Gray of Citrus Heights, Calif. and Dave and Rosemarie Gray of Sidney; one brother, Jerry Nickels of Beatrice; one sister, Dorothy Mathias of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Rebecca Gray, Shane Cyr and Brian Gray, all of Sidney and two great-grandchildren, Shayla and Taygan Cyr of Sidney.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
J. Dale Flora
1913-2004
Longtime Dalton resident, Dale Flora, 90, of Dalton, Neb., died Saturday evening, July 31, 2004, at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 5 in the Grace Lutheran Church in Gurley, with Pastor H. Eldin Wells and Pastor Nita Mathews officiating. Burial will be in the Dalton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Leyton Public Schools are suggested.
Friends may call Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the family to be present from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.
Jairus Dale Flora was born August 25, 1913, in Merino, Colo. to Steven Jairus and Bessie Constance Flora. He moved to Gurley in 1914, where he graduated from high school in 1930 as valedictorian. He worked on the farm for one and one-half years before going to Midland College, where he earned a B.A. degree in 1935 and accepted a position as Superintendent of the Lisco, Neb., Schools. He held a Nebraska permanent teaching certificate. In 1935 he met Betty Garvin, who was teaching in Gurley. They were married on May 28, 1937, and enjoyed over 65 years of happy marriage together. They lived for one year in Lisco and then five years in Oakland, Neb., where Dale was principal and then superintendent, having earned his MA from UNL. Dale’s career in education was interrupted in 1943 by a “Greetings from the President.” He served until late 1945, when he was discharged as a radar officer and moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he worked for five years as a registration and training officer for the Veteran’s Administration. He was recalled to the Air Force in 1950 during the Korean crisis and served in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Reno, Nev.; and London, England, before being discharged and moving to Dalton in the summer of 1953. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves until he retired from the Air Force as a Major. In Dalton, he farmed for three years and taught high school, first in Broadwater for one year, then in Dalton, before becoming rural mail carrier out of Dalton.
Dale was treasurer of the Lions club for many years, VP of the Board of ESU #14, a member of the county hospital authority, and Secretary-Treasurer of the West District LCA. He served as a trustee for Midland College for six years, Executive Board, Nebraska Synod LCA for five years, Chairman of the Nebraska State Accreditation Committee for Public Schools for 15 years, Secretary of the Dalton school board for 11 years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Gurley, where he served on the council and as delegate to synod and to the LCA onventions twice. He was a member of the Dalton Lions Club. He joined the
Masonic Lodge in Oakland, transferred to Harmony Lodge #321 in Dalton, where he served as Master three times and was a long time secretary, then joined Frank Welch Lodge #75 in Sidney when those Lodges merged. He received the Bronze Jordan Medal from Frank Welch Lodge in 2003. He was a member of Eastern Star, and a Past Patron. He served as Grand Representative to Missouri for two years.
Dale enjoyed gardening, church work, and helping his neighbors. He was always active in community work and enjoyed the Dalton Senior Citizens. He also enjoyed playing bridge and reading. Dale and Betty received an Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor award.
Survivors include his son, Jerry and wife Sharyl Flora of Overland Park, Kan.; their son, his grandson, Edward Flora of Scottsdale, Ariz.; his daughter, Connie and husband Jim Dunn of Ft. Calhoun, Neb.; their daughters, Dale’s granddaughters, Katie, Casey, and Sarah Dunn, all of Ft. Calhoun, and two sisters, Clara Lessig of Gurley and Eula McRoberts and her husband Kenneth of Scottsbluff, three sisters-in-law, Genesta Flora of California, Verna Flora of Denver, Colo., and Helen Haist of Lincoln, Neb., along with numerous nieces and nephews.
His beloved wife, Betty, preceded him in death.
Jonathan Edward Wills
1961-2004
Jonathan Edward Wills, 43, our beloved daddy, husband, and son, went to be at home with Jesus following a tragic drowning accident on Aug. 1, 2004, while trying to save those he loved.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 4, at Bismarck Funeral Home, with the Rev. Don Burnett officiating, and on Friday, Aug. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Dix Bible Church, Dix, with the Rev. Virgil Johnson, officiating. Burial will be in Potter Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at Bismarck Funeral Home and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.
Memorials have been established to Camp Rock in Redington, Neb.
Jonathan was born in Kimball, Neb., to Elmer and Helen (Fisher) Wills, on May 2, 1961.
Jon graduated from Potter High School in 1979 and attended college at LeTourneau College, Longview, Texas, and then at the University of Wyoming where he met and married Jennifer Crook in 1984. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering in the fall of 1985. Jonathan was a very accomplished engineer who had a gift of fixing high tech problems. He was a hard worker who loved a challenge. His job took him and his family to live in many places across the United States.
Jonathan loved riding his motorcycle and the mountains. In 2002 he won first place in the over-40 class of USRA Desert Racing. He missed walking in the mountains. Jonathan loved Jesus. As a follower of Christ, all of his decisions were made with the intent to do what Christ would have him do. He laboriously worked to instill the same values in his children, whom he loved immeasurably. He was a good daddy.
Jonathan is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his sons, Joshua and Jonathan James (J.J.); and his daughter, Jessica, all of Bismarck; his mother, Helen Wills, Potter; and his brother, David, Dix.
Preceding Jonathan in death were his father, Elmer Wills, and his sister, Janet.
Mark T. Wieser
1927-2004
Mark T. Wieser, 77, Sidney, died at his home Aug. 1, 2004 with his family by his side. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Father Jim Novakowski officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetary in Sidney. A Christian wake service will be held today at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Parish Center.
Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Friends may call at the funeral home today from 9 to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s building fund or Memorial Health Center Hospice.
Mark was born Jan. 15, 1927 in Humphrey, Neb., the son of Joseph and Ameila (Hamling) Wieser. He attended Humphrey St. Francis High School and enlisted in the Army Air Force upon graduation.
Mark served with the 185th Medical Dispensary unit in the European Theatre of Operation. He was selected to play baseball with the U.S. Forces Furstenfeldbruck Eagles where he played shortstop and competed in the U.S. Forces in Europe baseball championship.
He married Germaine Schaecher in Lindsay, Neb. on April 21, 1948. They moved to Peetz, Colo. in 1948 where he farmed and continued his love for baseball.
Mark was asked to try out for two major league teams but declined to raise his family and instead continued to play for various teams throughout the area.
The family resided briefly in the Dalton area, Mark and his family settled into their new home in Sidney in 1954 where he owned and operated the Phillips 66 Oil Co. He also worked for Pepsi, Hams and Nutone where he was awarded a new car in 1964 for being the top salesman. He went to work at Cabela’s as Retail Manager in 1970 and retired from there in 1990.
Mark was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, farming and gardening. His love of the outdoors, his wisdom and wonderful humor were ardently shared with his wife, children and grandchildren and will be cherished forever.
Mark was a loving father and husband and a great role model to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Germaine (Gerry) of Sidney; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Cheryl, Pat and Pam and John and Jacquie, all of Sidney; four daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne French, Karen and Mike Kennedy, Cathy and Rich Cabela, all of Sidney, and Mary and Rick Coates of Fremont, Neb.; four brothers, Dave of Potter, Don of McCook, Neb., Maynard of Sidney and Ron of Flagler, Colo.; three sisters, Marcella Bouldin of Fayetteville, N.C., Dorothy Nelson of Calhan, Colo. and Lillian Rundle of Ft. Collins, Colo.; 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Joseph and Amelia (Hamling) Wieser; one brother, Robert of Denver, Colo. and one sister, Genevieve Fehringer of Aberdeen, Idaho.
Margaret M. Kokes
1938-2004
Margaret M. Kokes, 65, Crook, Colo. (South Sidney, Neb.) died Saturday, July 31, 2004 at Memorial Health Center in Sidney after a four-year battle with cancer. Funeral services will be Thursday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Sidney with Pastor Dave Tyree of the Crook United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow in the South Sunol Czech Cemetery.
Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday, Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to either the Dorwart Cancer Center or the donor’s choice.
Margaret Marie Kokes was born Nov. 27, 1938 in Yuma, Colo., the daughter of John and Opal (Carter) Tyson. She attended school in Stoneham and graduated from the Stoneham High School in 1956.
Margaret met Melvin in the summer of 1957 and they were married on Sept. 14, 1957 in Sterling, Colo. They resided north of Crook where she farmed, ranched and raised a family with Melvin for 47 years.
Margaret enjoyed gardening and canning. Her true love was being with her husband and spending time with her children and 19 grandchildren and sharing time with her family and friends.
Margaret was a member of the Panhandle Czechs of Nebraska, Crook Clubetts, a lifetime member of the Crook Historical Society and a member of numerous other organizations with her husband.
Survivors include her husband, Melvin Kokes of Crook; sons, Bruce and wife Kathy Kokes of Crook, Kent and wife Julie Kokes of Crook, Mark and wife Peggy Kokes of Ft. Morgan, Colo. and Marvin and wife Marianne Kokes of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; daughters, Teresa and husband Don Stieb of Iliff, Colo. and Susan and husband Todd Sigmon of Yuma, Colo.; sisters, Ruth Meis of Yuma, Patty and husband Howard Reister of Odessa, Wash. and Shirley and husband Nate Finkbeiner of Loveland, Colo.; sister-in-law, Margie Burns of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 19 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary Northrup and Betty Sitton and two infant brothers.
John Wendell Ropp
1996-2004
John Wendell Ropp, 8, East Lansing Mich., died Saturday, July 31, 2004 in East Lansing. Funeral services will be held today, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. at the University United Methodist Church in East Lansing with Revs. Frank W. Lyman and Carole S. Lyman officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church today from 4 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John Wendell Ropp Memorial Fund in c/o Gorsline-Runciman Co., East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823.
John was born July 25, 1996 in Lansing.
He would have been a second grader at Marble Elementary School of East Lansing.
John was a member of University United Methodist Church of East Lansing and
its children’s choir. He participated in soccer, karate, baseball and swimming but “running” was his favorite.
He was a master of Nintendo and enjoyed family time at the cabin in the state of Wyoming.
Survivors include his parents, Dr. Bradley F. and Dr. Margaret “Meg” M. (Elwell) Ropp; sister, Tess M. Ropp; grandparents, Wendell F. and Barbara J. (Mallett) Ropp of Scottsbluff, grandmother, Mildred Y. (Yeakley) Elwell of Sidney and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his grandfather, John W. Elwell in 2002.
