Danny Gene Pinkerton, age 69, of Irvine, CA, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away at home on Thursday, January 28, 2016, after a battle with cancer.

Danny was born January 12, 1947, to Gene and Margie Clark Pinkerton at Lexington, NE. He grew up in the Lexington and Cozad area before the family moved to North Platte. Danny graduated from high school in 1965 then joined the U.S. Navy in July and served in Vietnam.

Following his discharge in 1969, Danny returned to North Platte and married Betty Jane Naranjo. They had three children and eventually moved to Fort Collins, CO and later divorced. When he returned from the service, Danny hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and worked there for 22 years, becoming Yard Master then Conductor.

On July 7, 2000, Danny was united in marriage to Peggy Irene Hampton at Santa Anna, CA and they lived in Denver, CO before moving to California. Danny was employed as a Financial Advisor then a Mortgage Banker before he retired in 2006.

Danny enjoyed cooking, fishing and spending time with his family.

He leaves behind his wife, Peggy, of Irvine, CA; his children, Michal (Jackie) Pinkerton, of North Platte, Melissa (Robert) Gardner, of Fort Collins and Melinda ‘Mindy’ (Bruce) Kennie, of Louisville, CO; nine grandchildren, Miranda (Richard), Quintin, Alexis ‘Lexi’, Hayden, Zachary, Amelia, Emily, Sierra and Logan; two great-granddaughters, Ava and AnnaBelle; two brothers, JR Pinkerton, of Aberdeen, TX, and Tim (Heather) Pinkerton, of Portland, OR; sisters, Linda (Dan) Carroll, of Amarillo, TX, and Phyllis (Joe) Capparelli, of Nassau, NY; mother and father-in-law, Esther and Bruce Hampton, of McCook, NE; sister-in-law, Pam (Heinz) Wallace, of Junction City, KS; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Gene, Sr. and Margie; and five brothers, baby Michal and Kenneth, ‘Roger’ Rocky, Jay and Alan Pinkerton.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 5, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Orange County Rescue Mission For The Village Of Hope; 1 Hope Drive; Tustin, CA 92782 or the National Brain Tumor Society For Research; 124 Watertown Street Suite #2; Watertown, MA 02472.

Marjorie Lucille Makings, age 90, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, NE.

Marjorie was born July 16, 1925, in Trenton, NE to Samuel and Mary (Terrell) Cemer. She graduated from high school in Trenton.

On October 1, 1944, Marjorie married Glenn Makings and were married for 49 years when Glenn passed away in 1993. Marjorie and Glenn moved to Grant, NE in 1953 and she worked at Hatch’s Market for many years. Marjorie loved her job and looked forward to visiting and helping the many friends she gained through the years. She worked until she was near 80 when illness forced her to quit.

She is survived by her two children, a son, Terry (Mary) Makings and daughter, Carol Styles, all of Yankton, SD; five grandchildren, Tim (Sandy) Styles, Michelle (Bryan) Kralicek, Steve Makings, Melissa Makings and Melinda Makings; two great-grandchildren, Terry Styles and Quinn Kralicek; her brother, John Cemer, of Arkansas; a sister, Delores Rowe, of Kansas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Glenn, Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Sam, Sr. and Mary Cemer; a sister, Lois Wilkens; brother Samuel Cemer Jr.; and a grandson, Greg Styles.

Cremation was chosen. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2016, at Calvary Baptist Church in Yankton, SD. Inurnment will be in the Blair Cemetery in Blair, NE. The memorial book may be signed prior to services at the church. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Verda Mae Elliott, age 96, of North Platte, NE, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.

Verda was born May 2, 1919, to Lemuel Aaron and Elizabeth Catherine Miniarck Morton at Cody, NE where she grew up. Verda graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1937 then worked as a clerk in a retail store.

On February 18, 1940, Verda was united in marriage to Francis Clay Elliott at Bassett, NE. They lived in Ainsworth and Grand Island, NE before moving to North Platte in 1975. They were married for over 58 years when Francis passed away in 1998.

During World War II and Vietnam, Verda worked at the Ordinance Plant in Grand Island. She also worked for Gibson’s Discount Store for several years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She leaves behind her children, Janet Elliott, of North Platte, Ret. CDR James (Vivian) Elliott, of Virginia Beach, VA, and Richard (Lisa) Elliott, of Fort Myers, FL; six grandchildren, Carolyn (Herb) Price, William Elliott, Jonathan Elliott, Amanda Elliott, Angel Beth (Scott) Cavill and Michael (Laura) Elliott; eight grandchildren, Michelle, Erin, Kelli, Alexis, Ashley, Megan, Julianna and Herbie; three great great-grandsons; her sister, Marian Kalkowski, of North Platte; a sister-in-law, Wilma Morton, of Grand Island; and other family.

Along with her husband, Francis, Verda was preceded in death by her parents, Lemuel and Elizabeth Morton; sister, Fern Primmer; and two brothers, Robert and Willard Morton.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. The family has established a memorial.

Charles A. Stoddard, 87, of North Platte, passed away Jan. 26, 2016 at his home. He was born Jan. 12, 1929 to Clarence A. and Ida L. (Wilhite) Stoddard at Chillicothe, Missouri, where he grew up. He was united in marriage to Bonnie M. Crowley on April 8, 1951 in Kansas. In 1956, they moved to Hershey and later to Sutherland. Charles was employed by George Kuroki in the potato fields, Fleecs Bro. and Midcheck where he trucked for over 40 years. His favorite hobby was dirt track to NASCAR racing and he attended many races throughout the country. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of North Platte; his two daughters, Kathy (Micheal) Thomlison of North Platte, Sheila (Eddie) Bradshaw of Fairbury, NE; six grandchildren, Jamie (Tiffani) Thomlison, Jodi (Jason Pflughaupt) Solie, Tina (John) Reed, Gina Hatch, Jackie (Ryan) Schroeder and Felicia (Jason) Clarke; 20 great-grandchildren including Annette (Riley) Reed; four great-great grandchildren; two adopted cabbage patch kids, Chris and Mitzy Hayes; and other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Lillian Crowley and Floyd (Ann) Crowley; brothers, James, Clifford and George; sisters, Virginia Atchison and Helen Prothro. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in his memory. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Burial will be at Plainview Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Carl Allen Heath, 90, longtime North Platte businessman and community leader, died Jan. 24, 2016, at Linden Court in North Platte.

He was born Sept. 24, 1925, to Clyde Newton and Edith Ardella Howe Heath in Curtis. He attended Curtis grade schools and graduated in 1943 from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis. While in high school, he had one of the first paper routes delivering the North Platte Telegraph to homes in Curtis.

Carl was proud of being a part of the Greatest Generation, having served his country as a Navy Seaman Second Class on the USS Idaho from 1943 to 1946. He received the Certificate of Sagami Wan in Tokyo Bay during the initial phase of the occupation of Japan and the signing of the terms of the Japanese surrender. He also received the Victory Medal for serving in the Asiatic/Pacific areas for the Philippines liberation.

After his discharge from the Navy, he worked in the Lincoln County Clerk’s office, where he met his future wife, Helen Nadine Richardson. They were married Oct. 16, 1948, at the First Baptist Church in North Platte.

In the late 1940s, he went to work as a salesperson for Ely Hoppe Lumber Company in North Platte. When Ely Construction was formed, Carl became a construction draftsman. He later was a commercial hardware consultant for W.W. Woods and traveled throughout the state managing their projects. When the company sold to Hansen Building Supply, Carl continued as a hardware consultant until he took a “short” retirement.

His next job was with Johnson Hardware of Omaha, and he eventually became manager for the North Platte office. He retired from the firm in 2002. Throughout his career, Carl maintained a strong friendship with all of his co-workers and customers.

Carl served on various church committees, was a member of Kiwanis and he was a member of the American Legion Post 163 at the time of his death.

He worked tirelessly to help construct the new Campfire lodge and cabins at Lake Maloney. He coached Little League baseball and, in his early fatherhood years, he hunted with his sons. He also worked on numerous 4-H projects with his daughter, Kathy. He spent hours golfing with both sons when they were in school, continuing until later in life when he was no longer able to golf.

When his oldest daughter, no longer a child, expressed a desire to have a “real” doll house, Carl built one for her. This blossomed into a hobby and he built seven doll houses, one for his other daughter, two daughters-in-law, and granddaughters, with the promise the doll houses would be passed on within the family.

Carl also took a stained-glass course after his retirement. He created many stained-glass pieces for his and Nadine’s home, as well as his children’s homes.

His family was most important to him. They have many happy memories of fishing, skiing and boating at Lake Maloney and many trips to the Colorado mountains. Carl’s wish was to be remembered as a good father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Carl is survived by his wife, Nadine; two daughters, Kathryn Ann (Paul Dean) Eastwood of North Platte and Karen Sue Heath Lupomech of Richmond, Texas; two sons, Jon Alan (Gina) of Grand Island and Patrick Thomas (Shellie) of Gering; grandchildren Hillary Dunn (Brian) of Missouri City, Texas, Shawn Dean (Kiley) Eastwood of Lincoln, Megan Hynes of Lino Lakes, Minn., Amy (Justin) McMurtry of Holdrege, Kristen (Joel) Vogel of Scottsbluff, Holly Heath of Gering, Annessa Heath of Grand Island, and Mollie (fiancé Craig Rion) Balerud and Jared Heath, both of Omaha, and Chelsea Eastwood and Sean (Jennifer) Balerud, both of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Audrey Dunn of Missouri City, Texas, Austin Hynes of Lino Lakes, Minn., Johnathon Eastwood of Lincoln, Ryker Clausen of Wheatland, Wyo., Bentlie and Deniar Miles, both of North Platte, Mason, Gunnar and Claira Vogel, all of Scottsbluff, and Peyton and Kaylee McMurtry, both of Holdrege and Aven Heath of Gering; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends; and his dog and best buddy, Toby, who rode in the golf cart with him.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Mildred (Jake) Brittenham, infant brother Rollin Heath, a brother, Warren Blaire (Mildred) Heath, a sister, Bessie (Jim) Hiner, a sister, Edna (Marion) Miller and a sister, Nellie (Bud) McGovern.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Veterans’ Memorial and PAWS-itive Partners, PO Box 1145, North Platte, NE 69103, or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Alice “Jo” Wiegand, 78, of North Platte, passed away suddenly at her home Jan. 21, 2016.
Jo was born May 12, 1937 in Deadwood, SD to Joseph and Mary (Kuester) Moneyhun. On November 16, 1957, she married Aloysius Wiegand, whom she later divorced.
Jo earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and spent many years helping others. She worked in North Platte at Memorial Hospital, Great Plains Health, Red Cross and North Platte Care Center.
In her early years she loved playing bridge, fishing and sewing. Later in life, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered by all as a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She also touched many lives in her nursing career.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John; a son, Troy; a daughter, Catherine; and a grandson, Dillon.
Jo leaves behind her children, Christine (Richard) Rosane, Michael (Joy) Wiegand, Joel (Sharon) Wiegand and Andrew Wiegand; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Jenna, Cameron, Michael, Matthew, Troy and Sawyer; one great grandson, Kalieb; and many friends including, Norma Cherry of Kearney, NE.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolence may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. James Novakowski officiating. Private family inurnment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens south of North Platte. Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign Jo’s memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Reed Kay Tomlinson, age 73, of North Platte, NE, lost his long battle with cancer when he passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Reed was born April 1, 1942, to George Reed and Lucille Fay Roller Tomlinson at Twin Falls, ID. The family lived in Arkansas and California before moving to North Platte when Reed was young. He graduated from North Platte High School then worked as an electrician for Union Oil Refinery before going to work at the Gerald Gentleman Station. In 1972 Reed hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as an electrician and retired from there in 2004.

On February 14, 1970, Reed married Sharon Ilee Drake in Richmond, CA where they lived until 1993 when they moved to North Platte. Reed loved his family and after retiring was a great cheerleader for his grandchildren and was a hero to them as well.

Reed also loved building and racing race cars and drove #66 from 1960 to 1986. He was a member of Brothers of the Third Wheel Motorcycle Club.

He leaves behind his sons, Jonathan (Michelle) Tomlinson, of North Platte and James Tomlinson, of Kearney, NE; six grandchildren, Chris Arneson, Shaquille (Shirley) Merksick, Jordan Cook, Breaonna Coleman, Anthony Tomlinson and Fletcher Tomlinson; four brothers, Walter, Vern, Daniel and Herb Tomlinson, all of North Platte; sisters, Yvonne Hiatt and Janice Walker, both of North Platte, Linda (Vern) Thompson, of Hershey, NE, and Deb (Ken) Durant, of Auburn, NE; his beloved dog, Moses; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Reed was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his parents, George and Lucille; and a brother, Richard Tomlinson.

Cremation was chosen. A family gathering will be at a later date. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Karen Fay Fisher, age 68, of Cozad, NE, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Karen was born November 26, 1947, to Lloyd Richard and Rosetta May Smith Bowker at Sutherland, NE and grew up in Nebraska, Colorado and California. Karen later worked as a Correction Officer in Weld County, CO for a short time.

In 1990 Karen married Vernon Wessel in Las Vegas, NV and adopted his four children. They lived mainly in Western Nebraska and later divorced. Karen married Jack Fisher in 2001 in North Platte and they moved to Erie, PA. Karen later returned to North Platte after they divorced and had been living at the Golden Living Center in Cozad, NE the last two years.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Karen leaves behind her children, David (Whitney) Wessel, of Wheatland, WY, Henry (Hannah) Wessel, of Los Angeles, CA, Kristina Wessel, of Eugene, OR, and Brian Wessel, of Erie, PA; three brothers, Richard (Mary) Bowker and Robert Bowker, all of North Platte, and Lloyd, Jr. (Marsha) Bowker, of Sterling, CO; sisters, Shirley (James) Smothermon, of Tacoma, WA, and Marjorie (Louie) Freeman, of Chappell, NE; six grandchildren, Kaelyn Wessel, Abby Wessel, Alex Wessel, Savannah Wessel, Jasmin Wessel and Chase Wessel; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd, Sr. and Rosetta Bowker; and an infant sister, Darlene.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Monday, January 25, 2016, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Dan Hitch officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Big Springs Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.