Raymond Mooney

Memorial Services for Raymond Mooney will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Buck Linton-Hendrick, officiating. Inurnment will be in the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska at 2:00 p.m.

Raymond Ralph Edward Mooney, 82 years of age, of Grand Island, Nebraska (formerly of Holdrege) passed away on Friday, October 26, 2007 at the Grand Island Veteran's Home. Ray was born November 26, 1924 at Randolph, Nebraska, one of four children of Raymond John and Rachel (Moore) Mooney. He received his education from Pender, Nebraska and later in life was honored with a Veteran's Diploma. Following his education, Ray continued to work on a ranch near Ewing, Nebraska. Ray was inducted into the United States Army on May 11, 1945 and served his country during WW II, deployed to Homberg, Germany until his honorable discharge on November 25, 1946. Ray returned home to Nebraska, where he served his apprenticeship as a lineman with Brookley Electric at Waterloo, Nebraska. Ray then worked as a lineman introducing electricity to rural areas, throughout Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas. In this line of work he would meet his future wife, Betty at Callaway, Nebraska.

On May 28, 1950 he was united in marriage to Betty Novita Tompkin and to this union four children were born: James, Leonard, Novita and Peggy. The family made their home in Callaway and later at Holdrege, where Ray was employed by the City of Holdrege as a Lineman and later served as a Line Foreman for the electrical department until his retirement. In 2002, he made his home at the Grand Island Veteran's Home until his passing.

Ray was a member of the American Legion Post #66, member of the Eagles, enjoyed farming, tending to his horses, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and helping his friends.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Betty of Holdrege; two sons: James Mooney and his wife, Lee of Holdrege and Leonard Mooney and his wife, Jane of Atlanta, Nebraska; two daughters: Novita Negley and her husband, Doug of Holdrege and Peggy Hickman and her husband, Mike of Minden, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Jami Knerl and her husband, Jonothan, Matthew Mooney and his wife, Penny, Shannon Pearson, Neil Stewart and his wife, Amanda, Dustin Stewart and his wife, Marci, Torrina Green and her husband, Jerry, Jeremiah Walton and Jessica Walton; eight great-grandchildren: Keison, Alixander, Joleigh, Cameron, Rhett, Hanna, Carly and Jarvis; half sister, Carol Dietz and her husband, James of Stamford, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Bonnie Mooney of York, Nebraska and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, two sisters: Marion Stevens and Juanita Coulter and one brother, Robert Mooney.

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

A memorial has been established in his memory.

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.