Eileen Biehl

Eileen Biehl, 96, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington.

Eileen was born January 2, 1919, in Lexington, Nebraska, to C.J. “Kit” and Sarah “Ann” Elizabeth (Pickering) Batie. She attended school at Lexington, and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1936. She went onto further her education at Kearney State College and Chadron State College. Upon completion, she taught school for three years until marrying her sweetheart, George Biehl, on June 30, 1940, at Lexington. Four children were blessed to this marriage; Dale, Corrine, David, and Carol.

Eileen was a go-getter from the beginning. She worked hand-in-hand with George on the farm. she attended all of her children’s school activities, as well as the grandchildren who lived close by. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, U.M.W., Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #33, and P.E.O., Chapter HV, Lexington. 4-H was near and dear to her heart, an organization she stayed connected to for years.

She was a kind lady, always had a smile, and a word of advice when asked. She loved volunteering and made hundreds of baby caps, and blankets for the babies born at the hospital. Eileen was always on the go. She would graciously accept any challenge presented to her with a smile and the job always got done.

Eileen enjoyed knitting, was an avid reader, and encouraged everyone to read. Exercising was important to her whether it was walking, or swimming. She was the leader of a swimming exercise group for years. She loved growing roses, and watching birds, especially Cardinals. She was an avid basketball fan as well as cheering on her beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was proud of the fact that she received the “Lexington Booster Club Award” several years ago. God danced on the day Eileen was born!

Eileen is survived by her children; Dale (Judy) Biehl of Lexington, Nebraska, Corrine (Dean) Weatherly of Clinton, Arkansas, David (Cynthia) Biehl of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Carol (Jim) Sandau of North Platte, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren, Amy (Toby) Biehl-Owens, Blaine (Brenda) Biehl, Matt Biehl, Terri Weatherly, Karena (Kenny) DeYoung, Dan (Shawna) Weatherly, Denise (Chris) Weatherly-Green, Brad (Leslie) Biehl, Liz (Nate) Farmer, Ben (Katy) Biehl, Lindsey (Justin) Tomlin, and Jon Sandau; Seventeen great-grandchildren, Abigail Eileen and Griffin Owens, Barrett McKnight, Colton Weatherly, Jacob and Taylor DeYoung, Parker, Colin, and Allison Weatherly, C.C., Kathrena, Logan, and Gracie Green, Liam Farmer, Rocco and Lyla Biehl, and Hayden Tomlin; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George in 1989, five brothers, two in infancy, and three sisters.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Reverend Dr. Dyton Owen officiating.

Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery northeast of Lexington.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 21, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to Lexington Community Foundation, Dawson County 4-H Foundation, First United Methodist Church, or the Donor’s Choice.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com. 

• Date Posted: 2015-12-16
• Maiden Name: Batie

Evelyn Bourne

Evelyn Bourne, 89, of North Platte, formerly of Lexington, died June 3, 2008, at Premier Estates in North Platte.  

Evelyn was born May 11, 1919, at Herford, Colo., to Louis James and Carrie Pearl Stevens Hunt. She grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School in 1936. She then went on to Kearney State Teachers College and received a two-year teaching certificate. At a teacher's convention in North Platte, Evelyn met Nile Bourne. They were married on June 14, 1939, at her parents' home south of Lexington. 

Evelyn and Nile taught school in several communities in Nebraska before settling in Lexington where she taught rural school. On Dec. 30, 1991, Nile died and in 1992, Evelyn moved to LaVeta, Colo., to be near her daughter, Karen. With no Presbyterian Church in LaVeta, Evelyn joined the Baptist Church and worked at the Senior Center.

Evelyn was a longtime member of the Lexington Presbyterian Church and the church treasurer, a Girl Scout leader and a volunteer at the Lexington Community Hospital. She was a member of the Garden Club, worked on the election board and helped with blood drives.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Karen (Sam) Clouse of East Spanish Peak, Colo., her son, Ron (Sheri) Bourne of North Platte; five grandchildren, Michelle Faulkner, Pamela Bourne, Carrie Bourne, Jo Ellen (Jim) Ripple and Cheryl Ferguson; six great-grandchildren; a niece; and four nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Sharon; four brothers; and a sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Great Plains Regional Medical Center, the Lincoln Connection or the donor's choice.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2008, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte with the Rev. Nathan Brand of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church officiating. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington at a later date.

Those wishing to sign the book may do so from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and before service time Saturday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore.

• Date Posted: 2008-06-03
• Maiden Name: Hunt

Don DeLap

Donald C. DeLap, 88, of Lexington, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, from 2-5 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Services will be Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Morry (Marlene) DeLap of Lexington and Merril DeLap of Harvard; one brother, Keith (Jean) DeLap of Quincy, Ill.; and two grandsons, Corey DeLap of Lubbock, Texas and Dirk DeLap of Lexington.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Fay in 2004, and an infant grandson. He was born June 29, 1918, in rural Dawson County, Nebraska to Conrad and Martha A. (Lemme) DeLap.

Don went to country school the first eight years, then to high school in Lexington where he graduated with the class of 1936. Following graduation, he farmed and then went into the United States Army during World War II, serving his country from Feb. 7, 1941 to Oct. 14, 1945. He was Staff Sergeant airplane crew chief. He was on Iwo Jima when the Japanese surrendered.

Don was united in marriage to Fay Cranford on Jan. 26, 1945, at Lexington. Two sons were blessed to this union: Morry and Merril.   He loved his cars and had quite a few. His 1967 Pontiac was his favorite. He kept it for 30 years. Don also had schooling for airplane mechanics with Morton Aircraft Corporation in Omaha, armed forces, Bell Aircraft Training School, and P-39 maintenance of P-39 aircraft. He farmed since leaving the Army. He was interested in alfalfa, corn, and sunflowers. Farming was his life. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the Lexington Fire Department.

--Obituary obtained from the Lexington Clipper-Herald

• Date Posted: 2006-10-26

Dean Edeal

Dean William Edeal, 91, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. He was born March 17, 1919, on the family farm near Overton, Nebraska, to Alvin and Edna (Cole) Edeal.

Dean attended country school through the 10th grade and then transferred to Lexington High School, graduating in 1936, as president of his class. He then went on to college at the University in Lincoln where he played baseball and was active on the Poultry Judging Team. Dean returned to the farm and was united in marriage to Mary Arlene Pullen on February 12, 1939, at Kearney, Nebraska.

Dean was always active in the community and his church. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served as a church trustee for many years. He was a past member of the school board for District #21, the Soil Conservation Board, the ASCS Board, a Farm Bureau member and the family was honored with the University of Nebraska Honor Family of the Year in 1961, as well as being honored with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the year in 1982.

Dean and Arlene hosted the Dawson County Cattlemen's tour for two years and Dean was so proud of having lived on the same farm for 59 years. He loved the land and enjoyed raising livestock and growing a large garden.

He instilled in his family a wonderful work ethic and was always active in all of his children's activities. He was active in 4-H when the children were young. Dean loved baseball and was a member of the Nebraska Independent League, he was so proud of having his son, Russell, and grandson, David play for the Cornhuskers at the University in Lincoln. Memories were made and cherished with the family traveling to Lincoln to watch the football games. Dean loved gardening, woodworking, playing cribbage and cards, collecting aluminum pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, visiting and being with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 71 years: Arlene Edeal of Lexington, Nebraska, Three sons and wives: Russell (Kathryn) Edeal of Loomis, Nebraska, Brian (Teri) Edeal of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, Arlin (Jean) Edeal of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, Two daughters and husbands: Karen (Robert) Kander of Stanton, Nebraska, Eldeana (Randy) Boals of Sutton, Nebraska, One sister: Retha Wycoff of Lexington, Nebraska, Seventeen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. One sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Floyd & Ruth Thiel of Friendship, Maryland. Dean was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Alan Dean.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Reverend Todd Karges officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, March 26, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Cremation will take place following the Funeral Service and Inurnment will be held later. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or the Donor's Choice.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Words of encouragement and sympathy may be sent to the family via www.reynoldslovefuneralhome.com. 

• Date Posted: 2010-03-25