Ralph Patrick Vinton, age 65, passed away suddenly at his beloved ranch on November 2, 2017.

Pat was born on October 9, 1952 in Alliance, NE to Ralph and MaryAnn (Manning) Vinton of Whitman, NE.  Pat graduated from St. Patrick High School in North Platte, NE in 1970.  He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Geology in 1974 and a Master’s Degree in Geophysics from the University of Wyoming in 1977.  He grew up on the family ranch south of Whitman, NE.  He was an industrious soul throughout his life.  While in grade school he would lead his brothers and sisters in building box kites that actually flew very well.  He would round up a couple of his siblings to build remarkable tree houses in tall cottonwood trees using old doors and cast-off lumber.  Later he was somewhat of an amateur entomologist, wowing everyone with his collections.  He would rescue downed baby birds and was an avid arrowhead collector ~ always cajoling some of his siblings into accompanying him on these excursions.  As a young man, he built a “weed hopper” (a plane with a small engine and propeller behind the single seat).  He had great fun with this, again accompanied by one or two of his many siblings.  In 1978 Pat accepted a job with Tennaco, based out of Lafayette, LA.  He worked as a geophysicist in the western United States and the Gulf Coast areas. During this time, he realized his true calling was ranching.  Pat then, in 1989, bought his ranch.  He enjoyed ranching immensely, planting many trees, putting up buildings, building fences and roads.  He was, though, first and foremost a stockman.  His cows and calves were his joy.  Pat was an early riser and a steady rancher.  He tried exceptionally hard every day to the very end.  He is much loved and will be sorely missed.  He was truly a gentle soul.

Pat is survived by six brothers and two sisters, Daniel (Ramona) Vinton of Whitman, Maureen (Jim) Skavdahl of Marsland, James “Jim” Vinton, George (Lori) Vinton all of North Platte, Brian (Joyce) Vinton of Copperton, UT, Michael Paul (Stacey) Vinton of Whitman, NE, MaryAnn (John Noble) Vinton of Omaha, and Timothy Ralph (Lori) Vinton of Whitman; sisters-in-law Miriam Vinton of Parker, CO, and Denise Vinton of Mullen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and MaryAnn; brothers John Peter” Pete” Vinton and Terrance Ralph Vinton; and nephew Jacob Paul Vinton.

Memorials are suggested to the Whitman Community Club and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Christian Wake Services will be held 5:00 p.m. (MST) Monday November 6, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. (MST) Tuesday November 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen with the Reverend Louis Sellam as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Cedarview Cemetery in Mullen.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday November 5, 2017 and 9:00 a.m. until noon Monday November 6, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Barbara Ann Cooper, age 74 of North Platte, passed away Friday November 3, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

Barbara was born on July 21, 1943 in North Platte to Chauncey and Annabelle (Snyder) Amstuz.  She graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1961.  She then attended Barnes Business School in Denver.  She married Ronald Cooper on June 24, 1962 in North Platte.  Ron was in the service and they traveled and lived all over the country and in Okinawa, Japan.  After Ron left the service, they settled in North Platte where Barb worked at Cody School as a cook for many years.  She then worked as a desk clerk at the Sands Motor Inn and enjoyed working with her railroad guys.  She retired in 2003 to take care of Ron, who passed away in 2006.  She enjoyed taking her dog to the dog park and shopping garage sales.  She liked playing cribbage, yahtzee, computer games, working crossword puzzles and Facebook. She was a member of the Eagles Club, volunteered with the Campfire Girls, Boy Scouts, PTA, and attended Harvest Christian Fellowship Church and participated in God Encounter there.  She had the “Gift of Gab” and could talk to anyone and had a good heart.  She always put others first and her family was the center of her life.

Barbara is survived by her sons Jeff (Wanda) Cooper of North Platte and Shawn (Shannon) Cooper of Omaha; 8 grandchildren Jeffrey (Janine) Cooper Jr. of Council Bluffs, IA, Jennifer (Philip ) Connell of North Platte, Tanner (Jenna) Cooper of Omaha, ShayeLeigh (Timothy) Fread of Omaha, Mark Jacob of Omaha, Corey, Chad and Alexa Sholes of Norfolk; 8 great grandchildren Caleb, Eva, Millie and Henry Cooper, William Connell, Jaylen and Milee Sholes, and Malaki Smith; siblings Carolyn Steck of Oregon, Ellen (Terry) Waak of Lincoln, Bill (Karen) Armstuz of Cedar Rapids, IA and Harley (Karen) Amstuz of Omaha; as well as numerous other family members and friends, and her dog Trouble.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Ron.

Memorials are suggested to Pawsitive Partners and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday November 7, 2017 at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Jeremy Rinke officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  The family requests casual dress.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday November 6, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

George Crossan Allen, age 89 of North Platte, passed away Saturday November 4, 2017 at Linden Court.

George was born on January 23, 1928 in Topones, CO on a ranch in a log house.  The family moved to Arkansas when he was 6 years old.  In the 1^st grade he moved with his mother, father, and brothers Jim and Clyde to Omaha to work for his Aunt Laura, and his siblings Mary and Thurston were born there.  His mother died of pneumonia and the children moved to North Platte to live with Aunt Laura and Uncle Ben on their farm.  He graduated from North Platte High School in 1947.  He married Dorothy Rue and together they had Beverly, Gloria and David.  He married Donna Favinger in 1969 and his family grew to include step children Sandy, Joyce, Roger, Sammy and their spouses.  George and Donna had 48 years together.  George loved to build things.  He had his masonry company and built many brick and stone buildings.  After he was injured in a fall in Denver, CO in 1986 he developed a great talent for painting.  He will always be remembered for all the special work he did in his trade.  He was a kind, sweet, gentle man who loved the Lord and the First United Methodist Church where he was a member for 70 years.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

George is survived by Donna his wife of 48 years; children Beverly Polanco of North Platte, Gloria Brownell of Aneheim, CA; step children Sandy (John) Rowland of North Platte, Joyce (Lee) McConahay of North Platte, Roger (Judy) Kinsinger of North Platte, Samuel (Dawn) Kinsinger of North Platte; sister Mary Parish of Great Falls, MT; sisters-in-law Joyce Allen of North Platte and Pauline Allen of Anaheim, Ca; as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son David; and brothers Jim, Clyde and Thurston.

Memorials are suggested to the Prairie Arts Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday November 8, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating.  Inurnment will follow at the Morningview Cemetery in Wallace.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday November 7, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Donald Leroy “DJ” Johnson, Jr., formerly of North Platte, Nebraska, peacefully passed away at home on Monday, October 30, 2017, in Eunice, Louisiana, at the age of 49.

Don was born on October 16, 1968, in North Platte to Donald Leroy, Sr. and Bonnie Jean (Anderson) Johnson. The family lived in North Platte until 1981 then moved to Mansfield, Louisiana, where Don graduated from Mansfield High School in ’87.

Shortly after graduation, Don enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. He worked as a Motor Transport Operator and served until 1991 when he received an Honorable Medical Discharge. In 1990, while stationed in Japan, Don married Angella Johnson, who was also serving in the Marine Corps, and their son, Kalab Matthew Johnson, was born later that year. In 1992, they returned to Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and later divorced.

On July 3, 2003, Don was united in marriage to Misty Dawn Goble in Brusly, Louisiana, and they were married for 14 amazing years. Together they forged a friendship, and when together they both knew they were home. At the time of marriage, Don gained his stepson, Devon Andrew Delaney, and in 2005, Don and Misty had another son, Kolby Ryan Johnson.

Don eventually hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and started as a Machinist in North Platte then was promoted to Field Mechanic in Eunice, Louisiana.

Don was a loving family man and a great husband, father, son, brother and grandfather. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a good friend. He enjoyed working on vehicles and cooking but will always be remembered for his sense of humor and making people laugh. Don’s smile and laughter will be missed. He worked hard to enjoy his life and to ensure others were taken care of. He only wanted the best for everyone. Don was taken from us all, way too soon, and will forever be remembered by Misty as her “Sweet DJ”.

He leaves behind his wife, Misty, of Eunice; sons, Kalab Johnson (Tera), of Omaha, Nebraska, and Kolby Johnson, of Eunice; stepson, Devon Delaney (Alisha Baadee), of Eunice; parents, Don, Sr. and Bonnie Johnson, and sister, Valerie Chitty (Ron), all of North Platte; brothers, Lonnie Johnson (Rachelle), of Nemo, Texas and Ronnie Johnson (Rianna), of Missouri; brother-in-law, Shawn Goble (Alice), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; grandson, Leo C. Zemartis; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Don was preceded in death by his grandparents; H.P. “Andy” Anderson, Freda Lucille Anderson, Bert Leroy Johnson and Velma May Purdy.

Funeral Service will be 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time on Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Burial with Military Honors will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2017, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, Nebraska. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial account in Don’s name has been set up at Adams Bank & Trust. “Fairwinds and Following Seas” – Semper Fi

Daniel Clifton Greeley, age 56 of North Platte, died Thursday November 2, 2017 at Centennial Park Retirement Home.

Dan was born September 24, 1961 to Eugene Vaughn and Glennis Maureen (Knotts) Greeley. He grew up in North Platte, and graduated from North Platte High School in 1979.  Following high school he studied electrical technology at Mid-Plains Community College.  Upon graduating from MPCC, he moved to Kearney, NE with Cami Votaw, his wife to be.  Together they had two children, Zebediah and Danielle.

Dan was passionate about music, especially the guitar and banjo. He started playing with Art Daly and the Buckaroos during his high school years.  He performed with several other bands including Blue Collar, Chance, and Sundance County Line which were the Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame inductees.  He spent countless hours doing what he loved and always had a project in the works.  He worked for the Sutherland Tree Farm for many years and had a passion for planting trees and gardening in his spare. His most recent job was at AJ Sheet Metal for nearly 20 years, installing and repairing garage doors.

Survivors include his mother, Glennis Greeley; children Zeb Greeley; Danielle Greeley and her boyfriend Jud Gallardo; and grandson, Holden. He will also be remembered by his sisters, Susan Greeley of Grand Island, NE, Casandra and her husband Burton Anthony and their children Alexus and Austin of Hyannis, NE; aunt and uncle JoAnn and Rex Coffman, uncles Lyle Johnson, Rod Pueppka, Dick Fogel; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene; and grandparents Cliff and Velma Greeley and Gordon and Nellee Knotts.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday November 6, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Inurnment will follow at North Platte Cemetery.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday November 4, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.