Isaiah Joseph Casillas, 6, of McCook lost his battle with brain cancer on Dec. 2, 2012, in McCook.
Isaiah was born June 9, 2006, in North Platte. He was one of four children.
Isaiah was a first-grade student at McCook Elementary School. His favorite subjects were reading, math and of course, recess. Isaiah loved hugs and kisses, and had several special teachers and friends at school, especially his friend Emily Garcia. Some of his favorite activities included going to the park, dancing to music, watching Sponge Bob cartoons and the movie “Cars,” as well as spending time with his dog, Easa. He will always be remembered for his kind and loving heart.
Isaiah loved Husker football and was blessed by a special opportunity to spend time with the players. He was also the recipient of a Make a Wish Trip to Disney World in Florida.
Isaiah was preceded in death by his sister, Vanessa Casillas; brother, Patrick Casillas; and grandfather, Joe R. Casillas.
He is survived by his parents, Patrick (Emily) Casillas, of McCook; brother, Isaac Boe, of North Platte; sisters, Mia and Mercia Casillas, of McCook; paternal grandmother, Ramona Casillas, of North Platte; maternal grandparents, Dennis (Jackie) Boe, of North Platte and Meliton (Sandra) Sandoval, of Ogallala; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members.
Memorials are suggested to the Isaiah Casillas Memorial Fund, c/o McCook National Bank, 215 West 1st Street, McCook.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, at the McCook City Auditorium, West 5th and C Street with Father Gary Brethour and Johnny Walker, officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, which is in charge of the arrangements. The guestbook may be signed online at carpenterbreland.com

Terry D. Eatherton, 64, of Gibbon, died Dec. 1, 2012, at his home in Gibbon surrounded by his loving family after a 4-year fight with pancreatic cancer.
Terry was born Jan. 13, 1948, in Kearney to Dale and Nadine (Brandt) Eatherton. He was educated at Cozad, Cairo and Wood River Public Schools and graduated from Kearney High School in 1966. He is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-70.
On July 8, 1978, he married the love of his life, Gilberta Olson, at Gibbon. They made their home in Gibbon and he worked for Eatons, had his own welding shop and then worked at HiTech, Inc.
Terry and the entire family spent many weekends during the summer racing at local tracks and at the lake. Even after his diagnosis, Terry still had his competitive edge and raced two seasons and won many races.
His hobbies include playing poker, tinkering in the shop, and watching sports, especially college football and NASCAR. Most recently he enjoyed occupying his time restoring antique toys. But his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the Gibbon Baptist Church, Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, Gibbon American Legion, Kearney Elks Lodge No. 984, I.M.C.A. and a past member of the Gibbon and Shelton Boosters.
Surviving relatives include his loving wife, Gilberta, of Gibbon; daughters, Shelley (Mike) Pedersen, of Moriarty, N.M., Kristin (Ted) Melton, of Commerce City, Colo., Stephanie (Josh) Leonard, of Gibbon, SPC. Stormi Eatherton, of Fort Carson, Colo.; sons, Terry Jr., of Santa Rosa, N.M., and Jeremy (Georgia) Eatherton, of Phoenix, Ariz. He is also survived by his father and step-mother, Dale and MaryAnn Eatherton, of Gibbon; sisters, Ronda (Larry) Dix, of Lincoln, Ranae (Bob) Howard, of Kearney, Tami (Mick) Anderson, of Kearney; sister-in-law, Sheri Eatherton, of Kearney; grandchildren, JaeLynn, PFC Patrick, Jeremy and Joesaph Pedersen, Madison and Taylor Eatherton, Treyten and Parker Melton and Braxten Leonard.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Nadine, in 1975; brother and best friend, Steve Eatherton, in 2009; and grandparents, Louis and Emma Brandt and Orren and Anna Eatherton.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Gibbon Baptist Church with the Rev. Matt Wolf officiating. Burial with military rites, provided by the Gibbon American Legion and the United States Air Force Military Honors team, will be at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Gathering of friends with family will be from 5-7 p.m., today, at Gibbon Baptist Church.
A message of condolence can be left at hlmkfuneral.com Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

SSG Michael Patrick Bailey, 60, of North Platte, NE passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, December 2, 2012, in North Platte.

Mike was born February 13, 1952, to Henry and Genevieve Hildenbrand Bailey at Santa Barbara, CA. He grew up in California in Santa Monica, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles and graduated from Paso Robles High School. Mike joined the U.S. Navy in 1970 and served until 1974. He then joined the U.S. Army California National Guard in Vista, CA in 1976. He was active duty until 1992 then served in the Reserve until 2001. Mike later moved to North Platte to be close to family and volunteered at the Lincoln Connection from 2006 until his death.

Mike was a proud American, loving father and best of friend to Marcella Hilber for 22 years. He was well liked by all.

Survivors include his daughters, Genevieve ‘Gena’ McLaughlin, of Alpine, CA and Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Hilder Bailey, and her mother, Marcella Hilber, both of North Platte; his goddaughter, Mia Hilber-Hansmeier, of North Platte; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Genevieve Bailey.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Inurnment with full military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore or online at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln Connection. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

John T. Wood, 69, of North Platte, passed away Nov. 29, 2012. He was born July 23, 1943 to Clarence L. and Geraldine M. (Easton) Wood at North Platte. In 1962, he graduated from St. Patrick’s High School. John joined the United States Navy in 1962 until his honorable discharge in 1969, serving during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his four children, Ronald Wood, Jackie (Steve) Koenig, John (Trish) Wood and Mary Jane Wood; grandchildren, Stephanie, Connor, Nikki, Trevor and Tara; one great grandson, Levi; his siblings, Marty (Bill) Race of North Platte, Jeanne Meyers of Arvada, CO, Dan Wood of Lincoln, Mike (Denise) Wood of Maumelle, AK, Mary Wood of Omaha, Cindy (Alan) Boggs of Hershey and Peg (Don) Keller of North Platte; and numerous special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 3, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside. Rosary will be 7:00 pm Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. A memorial has been established in his memory. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 5 to 8 pm Sunday at the funeral home.