Joseph P. Corkle, 66, of North Platte, passed away peacefully January 28, 2017 at his home.  He was born January 16, 1951, to George and Martha Lydia (Praeuner) Corkle at Norfolk, NE.  Joe attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

On October 27, 1984, he was united in marriage to his wife, Peggy of 32 years.  He was an accountant with McChesney, Martin Sagehorn, PC in partnership for over 45 years.  He served as a past president for Nebraskaland Days and Crime Stoppers, a member of Lincoln County Democrats and North Platte Ambassadors. In support of our country’s military he continued to be involved with bringing the sailors of the USS Nebraska to Nebraskaland Days events.  Joe enjoyed golf, photography, hunting and camping.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, George T. Corkle.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy; a son, Joel (Dori) Trausch; grandchildren, Porter and Maeve Trausch; sister, Cathleen (James) Kent; sister-in-law, Mary Virginia Corkle; brother-in-law, Roger Sandeen; nephews, Tom (Dacia) Kent and Brian (Natalie) Kent; nieces, Ellen (Luigi) Cazzaniga and Marne (Bob) Hamilton; and many great nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Fur the Love of Paws.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Josh Brown as celebrant.  Family will be receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.   The casket will not be open. Cremation will follow the funeral mass.

Clarence “Wayne” Cunningham, 98, of Loveland, Colorado, passed away January 26, 2017 at his home. Wayne was born to Clarence and Pearle (Adamson) Cunningham on a farm 13 miles west of Fullerton, Nebraska on November 4, 1918. He attended school in Fullerton.

On September 5, 1933, Wayne accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and in his own words, “I felt a calmness and my burdens lifted, and I have had a good prayer life and spiritual fellowship all these years.”

In February, 1937, he moved to Arnold, NE when his dad purchased the Gambles store and became a partner in the business in 1940.

On January 29, 1942, he was drafted into the army and fought in World War II, being stationed in the Aleutian, Marshall, and Philippine Islands. He was wounded on December 20, 1944 and was honorably discharged July 10, 1945. He earned the Purple Heart medal, the Bronze Star medal, the WWII Victory medal, and many others. Upon his return home, he continued his work at Gambles.

On June 6, 1948, he was married to Marilyn Tarr. Wayne and Marilyn ran the Gambles store with partner, Robert May, until 1981 when they sold the business and retired. Wayne was a member of the United Methodist Church in Arnold, as well as a member of Rotary Club, American Legion, and Chamber of Commerce. Wayne and Marilyn relocated to Loveland, CO in 1995, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marilyn, of Loveland, son Ron (Renee) Cunningham of Frederick, CO, daughter Sharon (Steve) Bailey of Mead, CO, four grandchildren, Wendy Stelk, Colin Cunningham, Austin Bailey, Kaylin Bailey, and two great granddaughters, Isla and Zadi Cunningham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Pearle, sister, Evelyn, and brother in law, Dick Young.

Funeral Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Loveland, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will take place from 3-5:00 p.m., Wednesday at Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Arnold cemetery in Arnold, NE, Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Loveland, CO or American Legion Post 130 in Arnold, NE in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home.

Phyllis Jean Beckius, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday January 27, 2017 at Linden Court.

Phyllis was born on October 25, 1931 in St. Francis, KS to Jacob and Ida (Miller) Schaffer, one of six children.  She grew up mostly in North Platte, moving to Omaha during her high school years.  She returned to North Platte after finishing school where she met Jim Beckius.  The couple was married on February 20, 1950.  She worked as a waitress at King Fong when they were first married, then the Dunes Motel and Lakeway Lanes and then was able to stay home to raise her family.  She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, The Sweet Adelines, and loved to bowl, golf and play cards.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Jim of North Platte; children Marsha (Rex) Reece of North Platte, and John (Wendy) Beckius of Glenwood Springs, CO; 5 grandchildren, Chad (Lea) Reece of North Platte, Josh (Juanita) Reece of Lincoln, Joe (Denise) Beckius of Pensacola, FL, Cody (Alisha) Beckius of Ft. Collins, CO, and Shane Beckius of Glenwood Springs, CO; 7 great grandchildren, Brian Engel, Mina Reece, Jaiden Gott, Roman Reece, Destini Beckius, Journey Beckius and Ethan Beckius; brothers Bill and Ronald Schaffer; special relative Cindy Schroeder of Phoenix, AZ; as well as numerous other family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson Jesse; brothers Bob and Harold Schaffer; and sister Lucille Beans.

Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton or the Great Plains Hospice and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday February 1, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with Reverend Mark Seiker as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Leo Charles Smith, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday January 27, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

Leo was born on February 20, 1931 in North Platte to Elmer and Emma (Burch) Smith.  He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School.  He was a Corporal in the Army from December 1951 until November 1953, serving in Korea.  He married Beverly J. Brown on March 31, 1957.  After her death in 2003, he married Betty Glebe on May 12, 2007.  Except for two years in Boulder, CO and his time in the military, Leo was a lifelong resident of North Platte.  He worked as a Carman on the UPRR for 18 years.  He was a member of The Rock Church, had a passion for cooking and baking, especially pies, and enjoyed fishing, gardening and joke telling!

Leo is survived by his wife Betty of North Platte; children Sandy (Mark) Mason of North Platte, Allan (Brenda) Smith of Aurora, CO, and Leslie Smith of North Platte; siblings Waldo (Leona) Smith of WA, George Smith of AK, Sidney (Bonnie) Smith of North Platte, and Anna (Jack) Hayford of CA; stepchildren Catherine (William) Kolf of  IL, and Marcia (Jim) Warner of Lincoln, NE; 3 grandchildren Matthew (Amy) Smith of Detroit, MI, Leah Smith of Denver, CO, and Brianna Mason of North Platte; 3 step grandchildren Emily (Joe) DeHaven of KY, Jerome Kolf of GA, and Erika Warner of Lincoln, NE; as well as other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Beverly Jean (Brown) Smith on July 21, 2003; brother Earl (Freida) Smith, sister Luella (Noel) Cluck, brother and sister-in-law Francis and Katherine Smith.

Memorials are suggested to The Rock Church or NP Local Alzheimer’s Support Group and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at The Rock Church with Pastor Vaughn Fahrenbruck officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday January 30, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.