Mark S. Bliss - Hastings resident Mark S. Bliss, 62, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2022, at his home.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings NE with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett and Rev. Damen Jensen-Heitmann officiating. A private family committal will be held at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. The service will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fpchastings beginning 5 minutes prior to the service. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., with family present from 5 - 7 p.m. Memorials can be sent to the Hastings Community Foundation, 800 W. 3rd Street, Suite 232, Hastings, NE 68901.
Mark was born in Seward, NE on November 30, 1959, to Cecil and Sharon (Germer) Bliss. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1978 (Go Minutemen!) and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1983 (Go Plainsmen!).
Mark married Stephanie Hermes on November 23, 1991, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings. His daughter and light of his life, Lauren Bliss Overmiller was born two years later.
Mark was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Dutton Lainson Company for nearly three decades. Before moving to Hastings, he worked for NSLP (Nebraska Student Loan Program) in Lincoln, NE, and American Express in Des Moines, IA. Mark was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served on several committees. He served on the Board of Directors at Lochland Country Club and many national boards in the marine and hardware industries, including serving as president of the Hardware Group Association, the Hardware Marketing Council, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
Mark lived life to the fullest. He loved his family and always put them first. His granddaughter Rosie was the apple of his eye. He had a unique ability to make connections with everyone he met, young and old. Mark never met a stranger. He enjoyed traveling for both work and pleasure, Husker football, North Central basketball, and weekend golf outings with his buddies.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Cecil Bliss.
Survivors include his wife, Stephanie Bliss; daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Matthew Overmiller; granddaughter, Rosie Lainson Overmiller, of Hastings; mother, Sharon Bliss; sister, Ann Castner; nephews, Sam Castner and Cole Castner, of Lincoln; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Margaret and Charles Hermes; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Amy Hermes; niece, Addyson Hermes; nephew, Collin Hermes, of Hastings; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and many special friends.
David T. Berke, 61, of Lexington, passed away Friday, January 7th, 2022 in Riverdale, NE surrounded by his children after a courageous journey with pancreatic cancer.
Dave was born July 2nd, 1960 to Robert and Marian (Courkamp) Berke in Lexington, NE. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1978 and attended Southeast Community College in Milford, receiving a degree in Autobody Repair in 1980.
Dave was the Manager of Eustis Body Shop in Lexington for over 40 years, earning himself the 40 year award in December before his passing. His job at the shop never felt like a job. The shop was his purpose and passion. Even during chemo treatments this past year, his #1 goal was to feel well enough to go back to work. He cared deeply for his customers, co-workers and vendors.
Dave also served on the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years, where he served numerous positions and as a mentor to many younger firemen.
When he wasn’t working at the shop or volunteering on the fire department, Dave enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids, ‘shootin’ the breeze’ over a Beam and water with friends and family, firing off his enormous private firework display at Johnson Lake over the 4th, fishing, and going for boat floats around the lake. No matter where he was or what he was doing, you could count on a big smile, lots of laughs, hilarious stories, and a good time.
“When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live. We will all die one day; perhaps the winner here is the person who does it under his or her own terms; the person who dies peacefully and not at war. Let us focus on the life that people enjoyed before being told “you have cancer” and remember them as victors in life, not losers in death. Cancer will never win.”
Loving survivors include Dave’s mother, Marian of Lexington; children: Sarah (Jeremy) Taubenheim of Riverdale, NE, Ted of Elwood, and Madison of Scottsdale, AZ; brothers: Tom of Glenwood, IA and Mitch (Jackie) of Elwood; girlfriend Mari Hock-Arnold of Mesa, AZ; grandsons Jax and Cam Taubenheim; nieces: Michaela (Tyler) Saatman of Grand Island, Molly (Blake) Kopf of Yankton, SD, Abby Berke of Glenwood, IA; nephews: Joe (Paige) Berke of Colorado Springs, CO, Pat Berke of Raleigh, NC, Ben Berke of Glenwood, IA; and many cousins, extended family, and great nieces and nephews.
Dave is preceded in death by his father, Robert Berke and his grandparents.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington with burial at the Greenwood Cemetery to follow. The service will be livestreamed on Grace Lutheran Church’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Please designate memorials in Dave’s honor to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Date Posted: 2021-09-25
Eddie Dean Bennett, 61, formally of Lexington passed away Thursday, September 23, 2021 at his home in Overton. Eddie was surrounded by his wife, youngest daughter, brother, niece, and best friend while receiving hospice care in his final days.
Eddie was born January 13, 1960 in Lexington, NE to the late Robert and Donna (Hughbanks) Bennett. Eddie was the youngest of three children. He attended the Lexington Public School system and was a member of the class of 1978.
After high school, Eddie worked for Wells Fargo in Florida and he was also employed at Orthman Manufacturing in Lexington. Eddie then worked for Biehl Cattle Company and the Omaha World Herald before starting his long career of driving semi-truck. Eddie hauled for Bartels, Nebraska Salt And Grain, Mail Carriers Of America, Packer Inc., Eagle Eye Express and J Bar Trucking where he was an independent contractor until he was unable to work due to his health.
He was united in marriage to Nancy Fisher on November 12, 1991 in Chadron. To this union two daughters were born: Autumn and Donna. Ed and Nancy raised their family in the Overton Community for 30 years.
Eddie was an avid deer hunter, who enjoyed hunting in Chadron and in Dawson counties, for over 35 years. He had a passion for riding motorcycles. Ed and Nancy had made the trip to Sturgis for about ten years. Collecting guns was a hobby of Ed's. Eddie and his friends made yearly trips to the world's biggest gun show in Oklahoma.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy of 29 years, their two daughters: Autumn (Jess) Bennett of Marathon, Wisconsin and Donna (Russell) Lewis of Sherman, Texas. He is survived by his brother, Dallas Bennett and sister, Starla (John) Corder both of Lexington. He is also survived by two step grandchildren: Mckenzie Lewis and Colton Cooper of Justin, Texas. Nieces & nephews: Tia (Eric) Franzen of Grand Island, Dennis Price, Jr. of Minden, Harley (Lacey) Bennett of Amarillo, Texas and Jessica (Marshall) Carson of Bird City, Kansas. Brother and sister-in laws: Terry (Sandy) Fisher of Cozad, Larry (Peg) Fisher of Overton, Jerry (Wanda) Fisher of Cozad, Shirley (Curtis) Thorton of Lincoln, Sue Lenz of Gothenburg and Sharon Johnson of Ellsworth, Kansas. He is also survived by many other extended family members and many friends.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Max and Doris Fisher, sister-in-law Linda Fisher as well as two great nephews.
Eddie’s wish was to be cremated.
A memorial service will be held Monday, September 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Reynolds Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Pastor Bonnie Brock, officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com
Barbara “Barb” Jo Spuhler, 61, of Lexington, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at her home.
Bobbie was born January 19, 1960, in Lexington, Nebraska, to Robert and Mildred (Way) Spuhler. She attended Lexington Public schools and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1978. She then went onto further her education at Kearney State University (University of Nebraska-Kearney) for two years. After that she went back to school and received her Associates Degree from Central Community College. Bobbie lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado and then moved back to Nebraska living in Cozad, before settling in Lexington the last 16 years.
She loved history and genealogy. She loved her family and would help out anyway she could. Barb also was an animal lover, especially cats.
Survivors include her siblings, Lewis (Vicky) Spuhler of Brady, Cynthia (Andy) Tenis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jayne Talbot of Lexington, and Sharon Spuhler of Cozad; nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Nathan) Tackett of North Platte, Chad Spuhler of Kearney, Andy (Christine) Tenis of Bozeman, Montana, Joe (Steffi) Tenis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jessica (Todd) Hydo of Gothenburg, Brooke (Josh) Dorn of Kearney, and Sarah (Logan) Fellers of Lexington.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Michael Spuhler.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Cemetery, north of Lexington with Reverend Anne Gahn, officiating.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
On July 13, 2020 Jay D. Hemphill took a trip on the Hwy to Heaven to meet his Lord and Savior at the Pearly Gates.
Jay was born August 15, 1959 in Holdrege, Nebraska to Doyle and Elaine (Hueftle) Hemphill. A few years later his family moved to a farm south of Lexington, where he attended a rural school. He attended High School in Lexington graduating with the class of 1978.
He worked for several different farmers before becoming an over the road Truck Driver, beginning his career driving for SST out of Scottsbluff. While living in Scottsbluff he met and married Brenda Nelsen in July of 1987. Soon afterwards Jay and Brenda moved to Garden City, Kansas where Jay went to work for Lobo Feeders for a short time before moving to Lexington to work for Justa Truck Trucking. Their marriage would end a few years later. Jay then signed on with Schultz Transportation Services Inc. out of Lincoln, Nebraska. He would drive for Schulz for 7 years delivering what would be his last load to AWG in Norfolk, Nebraska on July 13, 2020.
Jay leaves to celebrate his life, his three sisters, Janice and Ken Knecht of Omaha, Joyce and Mike Eaton of Buxton, Maine and June of Omaha; three brothers, Jim of Omaha, Jerry and Marilyn of Cozad and Jon of Council Bluffs, Iowa; step-sisters, Sharon and Bob Forrester of Arnold and Doris and Kim Simmons of Bellevue; step-brother, Dean Zimmerman of Mesquite, Texas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
Jay was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, Doyle and Elaine; sister-in-law, Wanda; grand-niece, Alison; nephew, Gerald, step-mother, Ruth and step-sister, Charlene.
Jay loved being a professional Trucker and enjoyed traveling the highways and byways of America, listening to country music and talking to his fellow truckers on the CB.
So keep it between the ditches and Sunnyside up…this is Coffee Cup signing off.
There will be a visitation held on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 3-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Following the visitation, Jay’s family is honoring his wishes to be cremated.
A Celebration of Jay’s life will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Pastor James Morton, officiating. The service will be live-streamed via Reynolds-Love Facebook page.
Inurnment will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Date Posted: 2006-09-18
Rita Kay Smith - Lexington
09/20/2006
Rita Kay Smith, 47, of Lexington, died Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at her home. Funeral services were Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home, in Lexington, with Mr. Gary Binder officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation was Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Summer Gray and Andrea (Dave) Denker, both of O'Neill; mother, Patricia Barnett of Olney, Ill.; two brothers, Curtis Smith of Heston, Kan. and Dennis Smith of Olney, Ill., one granddaughter, Chloe Denker of O'Neill; and special friend, John Steele of Lexington.
Rita was born June 30, 1959, in Gillette, Wyo., to Kenneth L. Smith, Jr. and Patricia Barnett.
As a young girl, the family moved to Lexington, where she attended and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1978.
Rita worked at Pizza Hut all through high school. After high school she worked at Monroe's in Cozad, until failing health forced her to retire.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially enjoyed the time she spent with her granddaughter, Chloe. Memorials are kindly suggested to the family.
