Obituaries
Obituaries -
2001-2003
~~~~~~~~
2002
CONNER, MARTIN HARRIS
Gordon Nebr. -2002
Martin Harris Conner was born August 26, 1917 and passed
away at the age of 85 on Sept. 5, 2002 at Gordon Memorial
Hospital, the fourth child of 10 children born to Orville
and Carrie Belle (Tillson) Conner of Gordon, Nebraska. He
attended Gordon Public schools until 1935 when he went to
work for Bud and Lottie Secrest, later moving to the
Saults ranch. On July 3, 1941, he married Dorothy Johns
and was inducted into the Army Air Corps in February
1942, serving as a P-38 fighter mechanic spending a year
and a half in the China India Burma Theater. In 1946, he
returned to the Saults ranch until 1970 when he and
Dorothy moved to Gordon where Martin worked for Swede
Kime, Rudy Stanko and evenings for Dick Louks at Bowl-Mor
Lanes. He was a member of the American Legion in Gordon,
NE and an original member of the Old-Time Cowboys
Association. Martin leaves to mourn his wife, Dorothy and
two sons, James (Dottie) of Cape Coral, FL, and Dan
(Kathy) of Ellsworth, NE. Seven grandchildren; Clifford
(Liann) of Forest, VA, James of Ft. Myers, FL; Alice with
the US Army in Germany; Suzanne of Baton Rouge, LA;
Joshua, Alisha and Kace of Ellsworth, NE. Three
great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Sydney, and Ryan of Forest,
VA. Four sisters, Mildren Fish of Ellensburg, WA, Thedora
Mills of Litchfield, NE, Martha Boyer of Mullen, NE, and
John Kime of Nenzel, NE. Two sisters-in-law; Reta Conner
of Valentine, NE and Ruth Conner of San Mateo, CA. A host
of nieces and nephews and may friends. He was a loving
husband, caring father and WWII veteran who was known to
help anyone in need. Preceded in death by his parents,
three brothers Andy, Orville and Alfred, and two sisters
Avis Bateman and Betty Shelbourne. He will be missed in
the close knit rural community of Gordon, Nebraska.
Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 9, at the United
Methodist Church of Gordon. Pallbearers were nephews
Duane Kime, Dennis Kime, Gary Conner, Keith Conner, Roy
Johns and Cecil John. Burial was at Gordon Cemetery. The
family suggests memorials to the Gordon Memorial Hospital
or the donor's choice. Cecmanec-Chamberlain-Pier Funeral
Home was in charge of arrangements.
[transcribed by Kaylynn]
~~~~~
GWYNN, JAMES FRANKLIN
Gordon Nebr. -2002
James Franklin Gwynn, 81, passed away November 17th, 2002
at the Gordon Memorial Hospital. Jim was born October
8th, 1921 to Frank and LaVern (Nern) Gwynn in Gordon, NE.
On January 23rd, 1944, Jim married Evelyn Tech. to this
union 2 children were born, Blain and Tina. Jim had many
health problems and clsoe calls in his lifetime. As a
teenager, Jim worked in the hayfield where he was struck
by lightning. Although recovered, he suffered a severe
hearing loss which prevented him from being in the
service. During the first years of their marriage they
lived in Portland, Oregon; Cody, NE; and Alma, NE. While
they were in Alma, Jim was thrown through the windshield
of a truck. The family moved south of Gordon where both
Jim and Evelyn took up flying. Jim crashed one airplane
and turned another on its top. Both times everyone walked
away unharmed. Jim, Evelyn, Blaine, and Tina moved to the
farm east of Gordon in 1961. He continued to do contract
mowing for the Fawn Lake Ranch for many years. Jim also
survived having his foot smashed by a PTO and subsequent
infection, 2 major heart attacks, colon cancer, and
abdominal aneurysm, having a 1500 pound bale of hay
dropped on him inside a hay grinder and removal of his
upper right lung. Jim enjoyed dancing, playing cards,
traveling, his snowbird home in Arizona and following his
grandchildren to all their events. Jim is survived by his
wife, Evelyn; daughter, Tina, son-in-law Bob,
grandaughter, Bailie Mills; grandsons Charlie and Jesse
Gwynn; sister, Nona Gwynn Ayers and her husband Paul of
Amarillo, Texas; Dorothy and Dean Schied of Cody, NE;
Marj and Roy Milliken of Huron, SD; Clara and Junior
Empkey of Lincoln, NE and numerous other family and
friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents,
brothers Charles and Faye (Tom), sister Mary Kearns and
son, Blaine. Pallbearers were: Buck Buckles, Ron Dorsey,
Jim Kearns, Tom Kearns, Dale Piper, Ron Schied, Stan
Schied and Frank Sawdey. Honorary pallbearers were all
his family, friends and neighbors, present and departed,
who were a part of his life throughout the years. A
memorial has been established for the Tri-State Cowboys
Association.
[transcribed by Kaylynn]
~~~~~~~~~~
2003
BENSON, GARY MARTIN
Gordon Nebr. -2003
Gary Martin Benson, age 71, of Gordon, died on January
1st, 2003, at his home south of Gordon. He was born in
Gordon to Gordon and Agatha (Vandenberg) Benson. As a
young boy, he lived on the family farm south of Gordon
and graduated with honors from the Gordon schools. Upon
his graduation, her served in the Korean war and was
discharged as a Sargeant. He loved farming and ranching.
On June 13th, 1955, he married Carole (Coon) Dishong and
to this union they had six children. They divorced and he
married JoAnn (Egli) Benson on August 16th, 1997 at the
United Methodist Church in Gordon. Gary was a member of
the American Legion and the VFW. Survivors include his
wife, JoAnn; sons, Craig and wife Cindy, Marty;
daughters, Tracie and husband Roger, Renee and husband
Bob, Dorris, Denise, and husband Kurt; a brothers, Gordon
Jerome of Wisconsin, Michael of Belle Fousche, SD;
sixteen grandchildren; stepchildren, Bob Benson, Marcy
and Ron Hardin, Jeannie and Roger Brown, Sydney Padek,
and Laurie Anderson and seven step-grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Jack
and grandson Michael Martin Sasse. The family suggest
memorials to the shriner's Children Hospital and
donations may be sent to the First National Bank, PO Box
290, Gordon, NE 69343. Services were held on January 2nd,
2003 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cicmanec-Chamberlain-Pier Chapel
in Gordon with Rev., Vonne Blessman Anderson officiation.
Cremation will take place after the service.
Cicmanec-Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements.
(Note: Social Security Index lists
his birth date as September 17, 1931)
[transcribed by Kaylynn]
~~~~~
Carl O. Stomley was born on November
20, 1920. He passed away on May 17, 2003 at Gordon
Memorial Hospital. Graveside memorial service was held
May 21, at the Gordon Cemetery in Gordon, NE.
Source: Valentine [NE] Midland News, May 28, 2003.
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