James D. (Jim) Whitaker passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on June 7, 2017 in the hometown he loved so much, North Platte, NE.

Jim was born on October 20, 1936 in Lexington, NE to James E. and Kathleen (Kennedy) Whitaker. The family moved to North Platte, NE in 1941 where Jim attended North Platte Public Schools and graduated in 1955. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and earned a B.S. Degree in Business in 1955. He moved to Denver, CO, where he earned a J.D. Degree from the University Of Denver College Of Law in 1959.  On June 14, 1959, Jim and Nancy (Morris) Whitaker were united in marriage in North Platte.  They lived in Denver for four years before returning to North Platte in 1963. While in Denver, Jim worked for the law firm, Jones, Meiklejohn, Kilroy and Kehl, and Nancy worked for the Denver Department of Welfare. After returning to North Platte, Jim worked for and was part owner of Whitaker Furniture. Jim sold the furniture store to Dan Erickson in 1987, and it is now known as Erickson Furniture.  He was involved in many community activities and projects after his return to North Platte.  He served on the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Committee from 1964 to 1967, after which he had the honor of serving as the first General Chairman of NEBRASKAland DAYS when North Platte took over the celebration from Lincoln in 1967. After two years as General Chairman he served for seven more years on the Board. During the first year, he organized 32 separate committees and spent hundreds of hours to give the celebration a good start. All of the work had to be done in four-and-a-half months, but Jim and eight hard-working Board members somehow got the work done. Jim was extremely proud of his association with NEBRASKAland DAYS. He was the last surviving member of the original eight, and their legacy will live on forever in North Platte.  He served as President of the North Platte Noon Rotary Club in 1973, Vice-Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, first chairman of the North Platte Trail Committee, Chairman of the Airport Authority, and Elder in the Presbyterian Church, President of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and was a member of the North Platte Ambassadors.  He also served on the following boards: North Platte Chamber of Commerce; the Development Corporation; the Great Plains Regional Medical Center Board; the Salvation Army; the Downtown Merchants Board; Creativity Unlimited Arts Council; and Region II Advisory Board.  Statewide positions held by Jim are: two years as President of the Nebraska Retail Merchants Association; Nebraska State Historical Society Board; Executive Committee of the League of Nebraska Municipalities; and Board member of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association.  Jim was elected to serve for two terms as North Platte Mayor from 1996 to 2004. During his tenure as Mayor, North Platte was twice awarded Community of the Year honors by two state organizations. North Platte was also recognized during this period for its growth and positive attitudes by the Omaha World Herald. Jim loved North Platte and always sought to improve life for its residents and visitors. During his terms as Mayor, he helped bring more jobs and opportunities to North Platte through the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Menards, and the Flying J. He also helped increase tourism through the Golden Spike and started all of the trails in North Platte through the North Platte Trails Committee. He also helped facilitate bringing the statue of Buffalo Bill to Cody Park and remained lifelong friends with the artist.  Over the years, Jim received many awards and honors. Some are as follows: Jaycee Young Man of the Year in 1972; Nebraska Retailer of the Year in 1980; University of Nebraska Distinguished Service Award in 1988; NEBRASKAland DAYS Dale Studley Service Award; the President’s Award for Distinguished Service by the Police Officers Association of Nebraska; the Cody Scout Award; the North Platte High School Distinguished Alumni Award; the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award and the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation’s Above and Beyond Award. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International in 1997.  Jim participated in sports most of his life. He began running road races at the age of 43 and ran in over 200 races, 10 of which were 26.2 mile marathons. He helped organize the North Platte running club known as ACES, and he was the race director for several North Platte races.  Jim had a passion for Nebraska football and began following the Huskers from around age 12. He listened to all of the games on the radio, then attended all of the home games while a student at UNL. He missed one televised game because of a Saturday wedding, but he kept a small radio in his pocket.

Survivors include: his wife and best friend, Nancy; his daughter, Kim (Mike) Weesner of North Platte; his son, David (Eduardo) Whitaker, of New York City; his three grandchildren, Sarah (Sam) Holley of Fremont, Eric Nichols of North Platte, and Kyle (Sarah) Nichols of North Platte; five great-grandchildren, Sadie, Sophie, and Jayden Nichols of Fremont, and Treyton and Benjamin Nichols of North Platte; daughter-in-law Danielle Remus; brother, William (Bill) Whitaker of McCook, NE; three nephews, Mark and Jeff of McCook and Kevin (Cindy) of Gilbert, AZ; cousin, Gary (Joan) Kennedy of Seattle, WA, and great-nephew, Sean Whitaker of San Francisco, CA; as well as other extend family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford Milburn and Kathryn Blanchert Whitaker and William and Katharine Hofferber Kennedy; his parents, James E. and Kathleen Whitaker; aunt, Ellen Christensen; his parents-in-law, Loren and Maxine Morris; great-niece, Lindsey Whitaker; as well as  many close lifelong friends he considered family; and his beloved childhood Cocker Spaniel, Tinker.

A memorial has been established to the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation or the First United Methodist Church.  Memorials can be sent to the Foundation at 121 North Dewey #112, North Platte, NE 69103, or to the First United Methodist Church at 1600 West E Street, North Platte, NE 69101.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.    Private family burial will be held at North Platte Cemetery.  Memorial services will be held 2:00  p.m. Monday, June 12, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating.   There will be a reception at the church following the service.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m.  until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Nicholas “Nick” Whisler, 36, of Hershey, passed away June 6, 2017.

He was born December 15, 1980 to Charles and Susan (Faust) Whisler at North Platte.  He graduated from Hershey High School in 1999, where he played football and wrestled.  He was an apprentice electrician and loved playing the guitar and fishing with his children.

He is survived by his parents of Hershey; a brother, Matthew (Lynette) Whisler of Ft. Collins, CO; a daughter, Rylie; a son, Kalib; his grandmother, Arlene Whisler of Nebraska City; two nephews; his godson, Rowan and Brett; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cremation was chosen.  Memorials are suggested to the Touchstone Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln.  Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Inurnment will be at a later date.  Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

On June 5, 2017, John Shybut, 83, of North Platte passed away at Great Plains Health with family by his side. John was born in Belarus on June 28, 1933, to Theodore Shybut and Olga Avarich Shybut. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1949 shortly following WWII. They lived in New Jersey before settling in Pueblo, Colo.

John served in the U.S. Army as a medic and played soccer for the United Armed Forces Team in Europe. Upon his discharge from service, he studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology.

John served in the Peace Corps from 1972-1977 in Malaysia and Micronesia. Upon returning from the Peace Corps, he was hired as a psychologist by the Region IV Mental Health Services District in Norfolk, Neb. He met and married Sandra Breach, and their four children were born in Norfolk.

John and Sandra moved to North Platte in 1989 to work for Region II Human Services. John maintained his position with Region II, working at Heartland Counseling in North Platte, until his retirement in 2010. Brought up in the Russian Orthodox Church, John became a member of the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, and was affiliated with the North Platte Tennis Association.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Olga Shybut; his brother, Vitali; and his sister, Luba Campbell. He is survived by his daughter, Natalia (Tyler) Wiita, Lincoln; grand-daughter, Taylor Wiita; son, Nicholas (Mikaela) Shybut, Lincoln; son, Aleksis Shybut, Washington, D.C.; son, Mikel Shybut, Sacramento, Calif.; former wife, Sandra Breach; his brother, George (Rebecca) Shybut and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and a great-nephew.

A memorial has been established in his memory.  Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Services will be 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2017 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be Saturday at the Roselawn Cemetery near Pueblo, CO.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Robert D (Bob) Cady of North Platte passed away June 5, 2017 at home with his family. Bob was born November 25, 1959 to Clifford and Jeniece (Jaeger) Cady in Imperial, Nebraska and attended Benkelman High School where he excelled at sports and academics. Bob went on to graduate from Kearney State College with a degree in accounting and worked in the Kansas City Metro area before returning to Benkelman.

In 1996 he moved to North Platte and on September 6, 1998 was united in marriage to Victoria Bond and gained a daughter, Micaela. In 2000 his youngest daughter, Emily, was born. Bob practiced with several different firms in town before going into practice at Newton, Kujath and Cady, PC.

Bob enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, and was an avid Husker and Broncos football fan. He was a quiet man with a dry and unexpected sense of humor. He loved his job and was dedicated to all of his clients.

Bob is survived by his wife, Victoria, his daughter Micaela (Tyler) Papousek , daughter Emily, in-laws Jack (Sandra) Bond of North Platte, sister-in-law Cassie (Terry) Leet of Torrington, WY, brother William (Suzanne) Cady of Lenexa, KS, sister Brenda (Jerry) McDonald of Stratton, NE, 6 nieces, 2 nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Jeniece Cady, and sister-in-law Cynthia Fausnaugh.

Bob was a loving husband, father and friend. He is dearly loved and will be missed. Rest well, Bob…Huzzah!

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Bob’s name to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, www.themmrf.org.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2017 at the First Christian Church with The Rev. Jan Ekstedt officiating.  Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Dawn Michelle Tallmon, 46, of North Platte passed away June 4, 2017 due to an automobile accident. Dawn was born June 2, 1971 in Hermiston, Oregon.

Dawn grew up in Oregon and Nebraska, graduating from North Platte High School in 1989. On May 15, 1989 she married Shawn Tallmon in North Platte. The couple made their home in North Platte where Dawn and Shawn raised their children. She went back to school, graduating with an associate’s degree in 2016, working toward a degree in education. Dawn worked at several daycares and was currently at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Preschool.

Dawn had a beautiful sense of humor. She enjoyed scrapbooking, working with her horse, arts and crafts, and was an avid garage saler! She was the center of her family and the “squad mom” to many of her children’s friends.

Survivors include her husband, Shawn Tallmon of North Platte; children, Samantha (Mitch) Murphy, Shayla Tallmon (Bryce Obermeier) and Randy Tallmon (Emily Pellegrin) all of North Platte; grandchild, Riley Murphy; parents, Ron & Valarie Rebmann of Oak Ridge, OR; siblings, Amber (Adam) Allen of Oak Ridge, OR, and Jeff (Cami) Rebmann of Fruitland, ID; mother-in- law, Kerrin Tallmon of North Platte; numerous other family members; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Fern Johnson.

Memorials may be made to the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Preschool and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 9 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church with the Reverend Bob Deardoff officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 8 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Vidal Villarreal went home to Heaven at the age of 90, on Sunday, June 4, 2017.

Vidal was born July 2, 1926, to Francisco and Felomena Vallejo Villarreal at Pearsall, TX and grew up in Crystal City, TX. At a very young age, Vidal started working in the fields, and did so most of his life.

On November 15, 1945, Vidal was united in marriage to Maria Mata in Crystal City where they made their home and were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They enjoyed dancing and were frequent visitors at La Paloma Senior Center for many years. Vidal also liked playing cards with his friends.

Vidal is survived by his children, Noelia Peña, of Uvalde, TX, Selfia (George) Ochoa, of East Moline, IL, Graciela V. (Rojelio, Sr.) Ochoa, of Knippa, TX, Luisa (Rodrigo) Tapia, of East Moline, IL, Elida De Sliva, of Crystal City, TX, Elsa Kays, of North Platte, NE, Dora (Jesus) Aguilar, of East Moline, IL, Janie (Oscar) Sanchez, of San Antonio, TX, Rosie V. (Hector) Guitron, of North Platte, NE, and Ceclia Flores, of San Antonio, TX; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria, and infant son; parents, Francisco and Felomena; sister, Paula Ochoa; brothers, Juan and Severo Villarreal; son-in-law, Fred Peña, Sr.; and grandsons, Rojelio “Roy” Ochoa, Jr. “Shredder”, Alex “Buddy” Humberto Jimenez, Freddy Peña, Jr., Eduardo “Lalo” Ochoa and Jesse “Boy” De Silva.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 7, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a Rosary Service at 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Celebrant Father José Chavez . Cremation will follow the mass. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Darrell D. Miller, age 74 of North Platte, passed away May 31, 2017 at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO with his family by his side.

He was born July 24, 1942 at Milford, NE. Darrell attended schools in North Platte and in Colorado. He served in the United States Army from 1960 until his discharge in 1963. Darrell returned to North Platte where he was hired on the Union Pacific Railroad in 1964 until his retirement in 1998. He was united in marriage to Miriam Falk in December of 1968. Darrell enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors and spending quality time with his family and his boys. Most recently, he loved to take long walks at Cody Park.

Survivors include his sons, Mark (Stephanie) Miller of Granby, Co, John (Michelle) Miller of North Platte, and James (Dawn) Miller of Hershey, brother, Bob Giddings, sister, Margaret Rexroat, grandchildren, Danielle, Logan, Samantha, Abbey, Olivia, Samuel, and Jess, great-grandchildren, Mara and Evelyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Hazel Eaton, brother, Steve Giddings, and a granddaughter, Paige Nicole Miller.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7 at the Grace Community Bible Church. Cremation was chosen, inurnment will be at a later date. The memorial book may be signed from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.