Donald E. Stearley

Donald E. Stearley, Kearney resident Donald E. Stearley, 85, died Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 3, 2014 at the St. James Catholic Church in Kearney with Father Joe Hannappel officiating. Interment will be held at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in near Maxwell, NE. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the church with a vigil / prayer service beginning at 7:00 P.M.. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Community Theatre, Kearney Concert Association, Arbor Day Foundation or the church. Condolences or personal reflections may be submitted at www.osrfh.com. Arrangements entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Donald E. Stearley was born August 31, 1928 to Ernest and Iola (Saul) Stearley in Scottsbluff County Southwest of Gering, NE. He attended Cedar Valley School and was a 1947 graduate of Gering High School. Later that year, Don was accepted by Civil Service. He was drafted into the Army where he served in Korea for 2 years. Following his Honorable Discharge from the Army, Don attended Scottsbluff Junior College and UNL, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy and Soils in 1957. He was married to Violet Beans in 1950 until her death in 1973. In 1958, Don was put in charge of the SCS office in Curtis until 1973. He was a past member of the Curtis Volunteer Fire Department, Master Mason, Curtis Rotary Club, Curtis Chamber of Commerce, served on curriculum advisory board for the Curtis School of Agriculture. In 1974, He was transferred to Lexington, NE. Don was united in marriage to Mary (O'Brien) Wilson in 1975. The couple loved to travel, including many visits to Michel in Germany, Italy, France and Austria. Don and Mary moved to Kearney in 1988. Don spent his retirement selling lawn products for John Deere, volunteering for Crane Tours and Archway Monument Tours. Don enjoyed boating, spending time with his grandchildren, Nebraska Football, reading and watching Professional Bull Riding. Don was a 50 years member of the VFW and American Legion. survivors include his wife, Mary of Kearney; son, Michel Stearley and wife, Kathy of Fredricktown, MO; daughter, Melonie Ress and husband, Rick of Colby, KS; step-daughters, Catherine Cummins and husband, John of Colby, KS and Ann Wilson of Kearney; 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandson; sister, Janice Wolf of Minatare, NE and several nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers; first wife; and a sister.

Donald E. Stearley

August 31, 1928 - January 1, 2014