Scottsbluff Star Herald July 2007 TORRINGTON, Wyo. - Leo H. HERDT, 82, died July 18, 2007 at his home. Funeral services held July 20, at the Torrington First Congregational Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Leo was born Dec. 11, 1924 in Gering the son of David and Marie (Zeigler) Herdt. Entered the U. S. Army and was stationed in Hawaii. Married Marlene Estes on Jan 14, 1951 in Torrington. Preceding him in death were his parents; an infant child; sisters, Freida Keller and Eva Heckman; and brothers, Alex, Ruben, and David Herdt. MORRILL - Ricky James HUBER, 57, passed away July 17, 2007 in Scottsbluff. Memorial service held July 21, at Faith Lutheran Church in Gering. Inurnment in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill with full military honors provided by the Nebraska National Guard. Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements. Born June 8, 1950 to Mark and Merna Huber at Lynch Neb. He was the eldest of five children. He retired from the Naval Reserve in July 1983 and enlisted in the WY Army National Guard in Dec 1983. Married to Joy Bridge in March of 1994. Their son Noah was born in Dec 1994 and Kadan in March 1997. Preceding him in death was his maternal and paternal grandparents, and youngest brother Elmer Lee. DALTON - Percy C. McCABE, 77, passed away July 16, 2007. Wake services held July 19, with a Mass of Christian Burial , July 20. Both services are to be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dalton. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Dalton. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements. Percy Clarence McCabe, the son of Clarence H. and Grace Pearl (Pringle) McCabe was born April 27, 1930, on the family farm in Garden Co, NE. north of Oshkosh. On July 13, 1951 married Margaret Buddecke at St. Joseph's Rectory in Kimball. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ray and James and sister-in-law, Violet McCabe. NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Thomas E. VANDEL, 82, formerly of Las Vegas, Nev. died, July 17, 2007. A Memorial Service held July 21, at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, Naperville, IL 60540. Burial will be at the Cemetery in Naperville. Born Nov. 3, 1924 in Mitchell, the son of the late Earl and Gazelle Vandel. Served in the U. S. Army during WWII as a combat infantryman under General Patton and achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Preceding him in death were his parents, sister, Betty M. Heil and brother Robert E. Vandel. Gerald L. CLARK, 83, former Sidney resident passed away July 25, 2007 in Scottsbluff. Funeral services held July 30, at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel in Sidney. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. Gerald Lyle Clark, the son of William Henry and Mildred Amelia (Hundrup) Clark, was born Feb. 17, 1924, in Peetz, Colo. In April of 1943 was inducted into the U. S. Army. On June 30, 1946 married to Betty June Cruise in Sidney. Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Mabry and sisters, Dora and Maybelle. Jean Morrill FRASIER, 83, died July 26, 2007 in Gering. Her remains were cremated at the Jolliffe Funeral Home Crematory in Scottsbluff and inurnment will be held in Las Vegas, Nev. at a later date. Born Nov. 10, 1923 in Scottsbluff to Charles H. and Helen I. (White) Morrill. She grew up in Morrill and graduated from high school there. Graduated from Greeley State Teachers College in Greeley, Colo. Married James Edwin Frasier in 1946. Her parents, her husband, and brothers Jack Albert Morrill and Robert Charles Morrill preceded her in death. SIDNEY - Carl KURZ, 88, a lifelong Sidney resident died July 26, 2007. Mass of Christian Burial was held July 30, in the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sidney. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Carl Joseph Kurz, the son of John and Emily (Boyer) Kurz was born Sept. 6, 1918 at Sidney. On Jan 29, 1941 married Marie Haupt in Sidney. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Marie, two brothers and a sister. KIMBALL - Lucille MORAT, 92, died , July 24, 2007. Mass of Christian burial held July 27, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kimball. Burial was in the Kimball Cemetery. Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Lenny L. RUSSELL, 60, of Scottsbluff, died July 26, 2007. Funeral service July 30, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. Interment in Sunset Memorial Park at Scottsbluff with military honors provided by the Nebraska National Guard. Born Dec. 20, 1946, in Ventura, Calif. to Glenn and Maxine (Romey) Russell. Married Judy Brunner in 1969, and they had two children Jason and Faith. In April of 1983, he married Kathy Merkel and adopted daughter, Kammie. His father preceded him in death. TORRINGTON, Wyo. - Betty F. SCHAFFNER, 91, died at Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home in Casper, Wyo. Friday, July 27, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 31, at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Ora Dailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, the Order of Eastern Star, or a charity of the donor's choice. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the casket will be closed at the service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. Betty was born Sept. 15, 1915 in Alliance the daughter of Jim and Bessie (Collins) McKiney. She grew up and received her education in Nebraska graduating from Bayard High School. She married Marcus Schaffner on Oct. 22, 1932 in Harrisburg, Neb. Four boys were born to this union, Mark, Glenn, Craig, and Joe. Betty and her husband started a jewelry store in Torrington, which they owned and operated for many years. After the death of her husband she continued to run the store. She later married Homer Hood in 1978 and he died in 1992. Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church and Chapter 22 of the Order of Eastern Star in Torrington. Survivors include her sons, Mark Schaffner and his wife Barbara of Wheatland, Wyo., Glenn Schaffner of Wheatland, and Joe Schaffner and his wife Dianne of Casper; sister, Mary Helen Ahlbrant of Veteran, Wyo.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; three brothers; and son Craig. Published in The Star-Herald from 7/28/2007 - 7/30/2007. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities Schnell, William G. View/Sign Guest Book KIMBALL - William G. Schnell, 87, died at Kimball Health Services Thursday, July 26, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 30, at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Kenneth Mars officiating. Burial will follow in the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church. Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. William G. Schnell was born in Melbeta Dec. 10, 1919, the son of G. George and Julia (Richards) Schnell. He was raised and attended school in Minatare. He was baptized on Feb. 22, 1920 and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on March 25, 1934. After finishing school he worked with his family on the farm. He was married to Lillian Ilene Brownlow Aug. 23, 1943 in Sidney. They farmed the St. George Ranch in Sidney from 1943 until 1975. They purchased a farm in Bushnell in 1975. William worked hard farming and providing for his family. Lillian preceded him in death in 1997. He continued farming until 2003 when he moved to Kimball. Survivors include sons, Dave and wife Bev Schnell of Bushnell, Neb., James and wife Julie Schnell of Kimball and Danny Schnell of Amherst, Mass.; daughters, Karen and husband Alex Sulzer of Denver and Connie and husband Doran Rhodes of Denver; brother, Louie and wife Delores Schnell of Sidney; sisters, Emma and husband Tony Lutringer of Seward, Neb., Esther Siemers of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Helen Foster of Santa Rosa, Calif. and grandchildren, Alexander Sulzer, Matthew Sulzer, Kyle Schnell, Klent Schnell, Katie Culek, Dana Rhodes, Mark Schnell and Jarrod Schnell. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, brothers Hank, George and Fred, and sisters Mollie, Katie, Ella and Mary. Published in The Star-Herald from 7/28/2007 - 7/30/2007. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities Speidel, Rheba F. View/Sign Guest Book LINCOLN - Rheba F. Speidel, 73, formerly of Scottsbluff, passed away Monday, July 23, 2007 in Lincoln. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 27, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff with a coffee fellowship afterward. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested in care of the family, and will be given to Lutheran Family Services and the Monarch House of Lincoln. Rheba was born March 18, 1934 and married Gottlieb Speidel on Oct. 29, 1950. They lived in western South Dakota for many years, and then moved to Scottsbluff in 1976. She moved to Lincoln in 2005. Rheba is survived by her sisters, Bonnie Knuteson of Newell, S.D., Betty and Roy Simonds of Idaho Falls, Idaho; her children, Bill and Bonnie Speidel of Torrington, Wyo., Karen and Jerry Mosier of Lincoln, and Tim Speidel and Cheri Rissman, both of Belle Fourche, S.D.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and Joan Smith, fellow "OLC" member, of Scottsbluff, as well as many other dear friends. Preceding her in death was her sister, Billye Bailey of Dallas, Texas. Published in The Star-Herald from 7/26/2007 - 7/28/2007. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities Watson, Clifford Addison View/Sign Guest Book MINATARE - Clifford Addison Watson, 74, died Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at his home. His memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 27, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff with Pastor Doug Keener officiating. Cremation was at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. Inurnment will be in the Mitchell Cemetery with military honors by the Nebraska National Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday. The Clifford A. Watson Memorial Fund has been established in care of the family. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com Clifford was born Aug. 29, 1932, at Marquis, Saskatchewan, Canada to Carey W. and Bessie (Applegate) Watson. He moved to the United States with his parents. He served with the US Navy during the Korean War. Clifford married Marian J. Niles July 5, 1955 in Gering. He was employed at Independent Plumbing and Heating before purchasing Fitzekam Plumbing in 1973 until his retirement in 2000. They moved to the North Platte Valley Boat Club at Lake Minatare in 2000. He is survived by his wife, Marian; daughters, Debra Lou Watson, Alliance, Rhonda Joan Eiland, Phoenix, Ariz. and Lorrie Greckel, Minatare; brother, Robert Watson, Florida; sisters, Bonnie McMahn, Columbus, Ohio, Pauline Francisco, Scottsbluff, Billie Bentley, Big Pine, Calif. and Jackie (Sam) Oetken of Gering; grandchildren, Hilary Colling, Mandie Kuxhausen, Aaron Colling, Nathan Kuxhausen, Jason Richard and Jasmine Arizmendez; and 11 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents and grandsons Cody Arizmendez, and twins Israel and Joseph Arizmendez. Published in The Star-Herald from 7/26/2007 - 7/28/2007. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities Weinmaster, Carl View/Sign Guest Book MITCHELL - Carl Weinmaster, 85, died Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at the Mitchell Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 27, at St. Paul's Church in Mitchell with Reverend Richard Reisig officiating. Cremation will be held at the Jolliffe Funeral Home Crematory following the funeral and a private family inurnment will be held at the Mitchell City Cemetery. Friends who wish may call at the Jones Mortuary Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and at the funeral. A memorial has been established to the church. Carl was born Sept. 16, 1921 at Alt, Colo. to Jake J. and Freda (Kanzler) Weinmaster. At an early age he moved with his family to the south Morrill area where he grew up and attended school. He married Pauline Irene Ault Oct. 11, 1941 in Harrisburg. They moved to Cozad where he farmed until his wife's sudden death. He then moved back to the valley where he raised his five sons and worked for Jirdon Agriculture until his retirement. He also was remarried to Helen Weis in Scottsbluff. He was a lifetime member of the church, and was an associate member of the American Legion in Mitchell. Survivors include his sons, Bill D. (Rashell) Weinmaster of Morrill, Jim C. (Karen) Weinmaster of Cozad, Terry L. Weinmaster of Scottsbluff, Glen D. Weinmaster of Rock Springs, Wyo., and Kirk D. (Diana) Weinmaster of Mitchell; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brothers, Jake (Janet) Weinmaster of Morrill, and Rex Weinmaster of Hoffman, Minn.; sisters, Helen (Dave) Kuhlman of Kimball, Mildred (John) Schledewitz of Gothenburg, Elsie Mason of Milton-Freewater, Ore., Barbara Steffenson of Gering, Delores Sell of Phoenix, Ariz., and Sharon (Ron) Dinnel of Scottsbluff; sisters-in-law, Esther Weinmaster of Ger-ing, Cindy Weinmaster of Scottsbluff, and Irene Weinmaster of Milton-Freewater, Ore. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; son, Larry; brothers, Elmer, Henry, and Delbert; sister, Dorothy Weinmaster; step-sister, Martha Kuhlman, and sister-in-law, Ruth Weinmaster. Published in The Star-Herald from 7/26/2007 - 7/28/2007. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities Wells Jr., Orville W. BRIDGEPORT - Orville W. Wells, Jr., 81, of Bridgeport, died Thursday evening, July 26, 2007 at the Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport. His Memorial Service is pending at the Jolliffe Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Published in The Star-Herald on 7/28/2007. Wilkins, Cecil Bryce View/Sign Guest Book FREMONT - C. Bryce Wilkins, 76, passed away July 11, 2007 at the Fremont Area Medical Center. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday July 28, at the Church of the Nazarene, 1305 W. 20th Street in Scottsbluff. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Nazarene at 1305 W. 20th St., Scottsbluff, or Mitchell Public Library Fund at 1447 Center Ave., Mitchell. Online condolences may be sent to www.dugankramer.com "Bryce" was born June 2, 1931, in Harveyville, Kan., to Lloyd Cecil and Mary Alyce Wilkins. He attended schools in Goodland, Kan., and graduated from Colo-rado Springs Bible College in 1949. While attending Colorado Springs Bible College he met Maxine Brown of Larkspur, Colo. They were married in the Brown family home Oct. 16, 1950. He followed his father's footsteps, and became an accomplished printer and Linotype machinist. Bryce began his newspaper career with a paper route in Goodland, to help support the family after his father was drafted to serve in the war. He later worked in newspapers and print-ing companies in Goodland and Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Denver, and Golden, Colo. Bryce had a free streak about him and gained the most satisfaction as an independent newspaper publisher. He purchased his first family newspaper in Hugo, Colo. From this meager beginning, Bryce eventually formed Neb-Col Newspapers, Inc., and owned all or part of weekly newspapers in Mitchell, Bayard, and Oshkosh, and Julesburg, Akron, Haxtun, and Wray, Colo. The relationship to these newspapers continues as family members are still involved in publishing operations in Idaho and Texas. He was well known throughout the newspaper communities of Colorado and Nebraska. Her served on many committees of the Colorado and Nebraska Press Associations, and held the office of President of the Nebraska Press Advertising Association in 1986. The "Godfather"--as he was affectionately referred to by family--and Maxine had three children. For a while they followed Bryce in the family newspaper business. Janet Reneau of Silsbee, Texas, and her husband, Danny, are the only children still active in the newspaper publishing industry. Youngest son, Kevin is a Nationally Certified Economic Developer, employed by the City of Fremont. Kevin and his wife, Cindy, are residents of the Fremont community. The eldest son, Ron, and his wife, Rena, are Registered Nurses and administrators/educators with the Veterans Administration in Denver. Bryce and Maxine have been active members of the Church of the Nazarene in many of the communities where they have resided. A family of meager means most of their marriage, the couple never failed to give the Lord his fair share of their time and wealth, purchasing a retired school bus to transport underprivileged children to Sunday School, and a major contributor to the construction of two churches. Most memorable for the family were the times Bryce, Maxine, and his sister, CloAnn, would play guitar, piano, and accordion, and sing gospel tunes during Sunday evening church service. He leaves his wife and children behind to mourn their loss, as well as his sister, CloAnn McNall, of Orofino, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and relatives. His brother, Hal, and his parents preceded him in death. ====== Copyright © 2007 Nebraska Obituary Abstracts NEGenWeb Project