Selby "Cork" L. Wallace

Selby L. “Cork” Wallace, 84, of Kearney, died Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Good Samaritan Society St. John’s. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Monday, May 16th at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Meg Sander will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will be at Kearney Cemetery. Family will be present for visitation 5-7 pm Sunday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Selby Leroy Wallace was born on October 20, 1931 in Skagway, Alaska to William J. and Florence (Philps) Wallace, Jr. At the age of four he moved to Haines, Alaska with his mother and three brothers. He grew up in Haines and moved to Nebraska in 1949 where he began working for Central Electric and a highway construction crew in Grand Island. In 1951 Cork joined the National Guard and in 1953, he was drafted for two years of active duty at Fort Riley, Kansas, during the Korean War. He went into the Army with an infantry division and finished as a truck master with the 188th Ordnance Battalion. He was honorably discharged from the Army on November 1, 1955. Cork continued his service with the National Guard until his retirement as the Command Sergeant Major of the 195th Armor Battalion, in October of 1991, faithfully serving his country for 40 years. On June 12, 1953 he was united in marriage to Della Blue at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney. The couple made their home in Kearney where he worked as a stonecutter for Worley Monuments from March of 1956 until December 1991. In 1992 he began working for Cabela’s until retiring in 2012. Cork was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Eagles and the American Legion Post 52. Cork was an avid Bob Ross fan and in retirement he built a workshop where he spent many hours painting and woodworking. He also enjoyed working in his rose garden and boating with family and friends at Johnson Lake and Cottonmill. Throughout his life his military service was very important to Cork. He deeply loved serving his country and always looked forward to spending time with his National Guard comrades, whether it be on maneuvers, at a military ball or on his patio. He was also very proud of his hometown, Haines, Alaska and cherished each trip he made back home to see family and friends. Cork is survived by his loving wife, Della, of Kearney; a daughter, Candy Michel and husband Ron of Kearney; a son, Randy Wallace of Kearney; and several relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Mary Sue, Linda, Pat and Shirley; and five brothers, Bill, Frank, Doug, Earl and Roger. Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church or AseraCare Hospice. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com.

Selby "Cork" L. Wallace

October 20, 1931 - May 11, 2016