Johnny Wilson

Johnny Robert Wilson, the son of Con and Wilella (Payne) Wilson, was born August 15, 1918 on the farm north of Inavale, Nebraska in Webster County. He departed this life on Sunday, November 27, 1994 at the Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Neb., at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 12 days.

As a youth he attended the New Virginia District #65 rural school, District #41 and graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1936. On October 3, 1942, he was united in marriage with Bonnie Skjelver at Smith Center, Kan. To this union three children were born, Teresa, Robert and Jayne.

In March of 1945, he joined the United States Army and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, stationed in the Phillipines. At war’s end, he returned to the Wilson homestead and engaged in farming and ranching his entire life. His pride and joy were his Hereford cattle.

Johnny was baptized and was active in the New Virginia Methodist Church. He was an active community leader, a school board member and a member of the New Virginia Cemetery Board. His favorite pastime was playing cards with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Teresa Wilson on September 23, 1968; a sister Verna Lutz; and three brothers Charles, Francis and James.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Bonnie; son Rob Wilson and wife Diana of Bladen, Neb.; daughter Jayne Hogeland and husband Bill of Alma, Neb.; five grandchildren, Laci and Amber Wilson and Geoffrey, Grant and Gillian Hogeland; two sisters Retta Hanson of Red Cloud and Edna Meyer of Peoria, Ariz.; nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 30, 1994 from the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud, Neb., with the Rev. Dennis R. Linton-Hendrick officiating. Keith Crowe sang “Farther Along” and “One Day At A Time”, accompanied by Marjorie Lockhart, organist. The casket bearers were Marion Duval, Clair Duval, Ron Bartels, Larry Vance, Kenneth Lovejoy and Ken Larrick. The honorary casket bearers were Bud Lambrecht, Norman Johnson, John D. Harvey, Russell Krichau, Pete Moriarty, Russell Lutz and Desco Lovejoy. Interment was in the New Virginia Cemetery with the Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud in charge of the arrangements.

Johnnie Wilson, 76, of Bladen died Sunday, November 27, 1994, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.

Services were at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Dennis R. Linton-Hendrick officiating. Burial was in New Virginia Cemetery south of Bladen. Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Wilson was born August 15, 1918, to Conley Martin and Willela (Payne) Wilson in Inavale. He attended school at New Virginia District 41 and graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1936. On October 3, 1942, he married Bonnie Skjelver in Smith Center, Kansas. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theater. He returned to Webster County where he farmed south of Bladen and raised Hereford Cattle.

Survivors are his wife, Bonnie; one daughter, Jayne Hogeland of Alma; one son, Rob of Bladen; two sisters, Reta Hanson of Red Cloud and Edna Meyer of Peoria, Arizona; and five grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to Webster County Alzheimer’s Association.