Merle J. Divis

Memorial Mass for Merle J. Divis will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux, Father Jim Divis and Father Justin Kielhorn as concelebrants. Rosary will be recited prior to the Mass at the church at 9:30 a.m. Inurnment will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with military honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United States Navy Military Honors Team.

Merle James Edward Divis, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Merle was born October 14, 1921 at Colon, Nebraska, the son of Edward A. and Anna M. (Fanning) Divis and baptized two days later. He received his education from West Point, Nebraska, graduating from West Point High School with the class of 1939. His early years were spent with his father, mother and two sisters farming in the area near Colon.

He is lovingly remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather who spent most of his 94 years as a dedicated law enforcement officer. He began his career in the Navy during WW II until his honorable discharge on July 5, 1946. He continued as a Nebraska State Patrolman, a Criminal Investigator, a Deputy and a Phelps County Sheriff. His law enforcement training found further purpose in the parenting of the large family entrusted to him.

He lived 23 years of married life with Alice Voichahoske-Divis in North Platte and Holdrege, parenting their ten children. After Alice's death he was united in marriage to Adeline (Ratkovec) Tomcak and three more young adult children became part of their combined family. He and Adeline have traveled together faithfully supporting each other for 41 years.

He was blessed with many friends in his associations with the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, where he was active as an Acolyte, and the Knights of Columbus, Crimestoppers, Elks, American Legion, card playing and travels. In his free time, Merle enjoyed golfing, fishing, and camping.

Besides his first wife, Alice; Merle was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters: Janice Divis and Mary Jo Jones; one son, Michael Divis; granddaughters: Nicole Kielhorn and Renna Divis; great-grandson, Jace Jones; son-in-law, Perry Meier; grandson-in-law, Chris McCurdy; and two sisters: Evelyn Kealy and her husband, Elwood and Wilma Cahill and her husband, Dan.

Merle leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Addie Divis of Holdrege; two sons: Father James Divis of Seward, Nebraska and Jeff Divis and his wife, Dorothy of Pinson, Alabama; five daughters: Kathy Zeller and her husband, Dick of Ogallala, Nebraska, Connie Kielhorn and her husband, Dr. Alden Kielhorn of Irving, Texas, Cheryl Gustafson and her husband, Jeff of Sutton, Nebraska, Teresa Meier of Apache Junction, Arizona, and Jeanette Nedrig and her husband, Russ of Holdrege; two step-daughters: Charlene Scoville and her husband, Lorin of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Connie Hanna and her husband, John of York, Nebraska; one step-son, Larry Tomcak and his wife, Mary of Hastings, Nebraska; and son-in-law, Dan Jones of Holdrege. In addition, Merle was blessed with 35 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Merle's wish for cremation.

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

A memorial has been established in Merle's honor and kindly suggested to the All Saints Catholic Church of Holdrege, to the St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska or to Crimestoppers.

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