Jack L Lilyhorn

Celebration of Life for Jack L. Lilyhorn will be held on Friday, September 24, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Dale Lambert, officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.

Jack Leo Lilyhorn, 84 years of age, of Crete, Nebraska (formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska), passed away on Monday, September 20, 2010 at the Tabitha Healthcare Services in Crete. Jack was born July 28, 1926 east of Bertrand in Phelps County, Nebraska, second of four sons born to Henry Harlan and Mary Magdeline (Smith) Lilyhorn. He attended school at District 21 in Phelps County and Bertrand High School.

Following his education, Jack served in the U.S. Army during WWII from March 21, 1945 until he was honorably discharged on November 29, 1946.

After his military service, Jack farmed for 12 years. He then was contracted by the U.S. Postal Service for 12 years to deliver mail to the towns between Holdrege and Curtis, Nebraska. He then worked for over 10 years as an electrician for Erickson Electric and then part-time for the Holdrege City Park maintenance.

In April of 1948 he was united in marriage to Betty Johnson and to this union two sons were born: Gregory and Steven. In 1968 he was united in marriage to Hazel Adkisson and they were married for 21 years until her death on January 2, 1989. On March 28, 1990 he was united in marriage to Hazel Irene Morgan.

Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, the VFW, the Eagle's Club and a past member of the American Legion.

Jack's hobby was carpentry and he enjoyed wood cutting. During his lifetime, he remodeled three of his own homes, and his mother's, and constructed a four-plex in Holdrege. Jack was a devoted husband and son and "Grandpa Jack" to his great-grandkids.

Besides his parents and his wife, Hazel, he was preceded in death by his son, Steven Henry Lilyhorn in June 1970.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Hazel; one son, Gregory Lilyhorn and his wife, Paula of Royce City, Texas and two granddaughters; two step-daughters from his second marriage: Sandy Grim and her husband, Danny of Kearney, Nebraska, Judy King and her husband, Larry of Gibbon, Nebraska; five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren: two step-daughters from his third marriage: Michele (Mickey) VanDyke and husband, Steve of Crete, Nebraska, Mary Saxton and husband, Roger Will of Burlington, Iowa, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; three brothers: Harlan Lilyhorn, Jr. and his wife, Mary Louise of Bertrand, Nebraska, Jay Lilyhorn and his wife, Joy of Holdrege, Douglas Lilyhorn and his wife, Joan of Bertrand; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.