2/13/1944 – 1/2/2016

Duane O’Neal was born on February 13, 1944 in Clarinda, Iowa while his father was serving as a marine in the Pacific during WWII. During his childhood, moving was quite typical.  He lived in numerous states and attended eighteen different schools by his graduation.  Duane met Sandy while at Gretna High School and they were married in July of 1964.  Together they put down roots, started a family, and never left Gretna again.

After attending REI and completing an electronics technician program, Duane started his thirty-seven year career with General Electric.  He retired in 2003. He was well known as the neighborhood handy repairman and was frequently helping out neighbors, friends, and family.  He was always working on a new project using his many creative talents.  The building of Cheap Shots was his crown jewel.  Duane enjoyed traveling, country western dancing, hunting, fishing, woodworking and many other hobbies.  Duane mostly enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Melvin O’Neal. He is survived by his wife Sandy, mother Geraldine, brothers Mark (Nancy) and Larry; son Lee (Lisa), daughter Lori (Scott) Wagner, grandchildren Amber Hogan, Jake, Jordan, Kolton O’Neal; Reid, Jack, Sydney Wagner and great grandson Paxton Dworshak.

Visitation Tuesday 6-8 PM at Gretna Chapel; Funeral Service 10 AM Wednesday (1/6/2016) at Resurrection Lutheran Church 153 S. McKenna Ave Gretna, NE, Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at Gretna, NE

5/15/1939 – 12/20/2015

Bobbie was born and grew up in Virginia, Minnesota. Preceded in death by parents, Ed and Dorothy Fleck. Survived by sister, Pat Brown of Naperville, Illinois; son Frank W. Bemis Jr. (Barb) of Birmingham, Alabama; daughter Kathleen Russell (Jim) of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter Nancy Stanley (Matt) of Phoenix, Arizona. She loved her six grandchildren dearly:  Casey, Kelly, Troy and Rainey Bemis and Emma and Bridget Russell.

Following graduation from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics, she moved to Omaha to work for IBM. Bobbie had a love of cats, gardening, antiques, and collectibles. She will be missed greatly.

Memorial Service 10:00 AM Wednesday (1/6/2016) at St. Leo’s Catholic Church 1920 N. 102nd St. Omaha, NE,

In lieu of flowers, contributions to be made to the Nebraska Humane Society or Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Cornelius Riley was born February 18, 1926, in West Helena, Arkansas to the union of the late Mattie and Reverend Harrison Riley Jr. Cornelius is preceded in death by one brother James Arthur, two sisters Willie Mae Miller and Hazel Lee Miller.

Cornelius Riley Sr. 89 of Omaha, NE, departed this life December 26, 2015 in his room.

Cornelius was baptized at a young age in Helena, Arkansas and accepted Christ while attending New Light Baptist Church in Omaha, NE, where he continued to be devoted and active member until his passing.

Cornelius charmed his childhood sweetheart, Gloria D. Hester, and married her in holy matrimony on April 14, 1960, and they remained married even after her passing in 2005. Cornelius was employed as a masonary for various companies. Peter Kiewit, Hawkins Construction Company and retired from Newson Construction Company after 20 years of service. He was last employed at First National Bank as a sanitation employee. After retiring from First National Bank he offered his services as a handyman for family and friends. Cornelius loved his family unconditionally and always put his family first. He was a nonjudgmental unassuming, gentle human being that saw the good in all people. Cornelius loved to cook and he was a certified chef in his own way. His model was if God created it, he ate it. He also loved gardening even though half of the things he planted did not grow too well, but he kept hope alive and planted a garden every year. He loved reminiscing with family and friends about his childhood and hanging out with BB King on Beale Street.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Gloria D. Riley and beloved daughter Tina Marie Riley. Survived by 4 sons Cornelius Riley Jr. (Dawn) Omaha, Larry D. Riley Omaha, Derick L. Riley (Talia)Omaha, Erick L. Riley (Andrea) Omaha, 1 daughter Vanessa Marie Riley Atlanta, 1 sister Sarah Elizabeth Pruitt Cleveland, 21 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

Visitation Sunday 3-5 PM Roeder Mortuary 4932 Ames Ave Omaha, NE. Funeral Service Monday (1/2/16) 10:00 AM Roeder Mortuary 4932 Ames Ave Omaha, NE. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery at  Omaha, Nebraska

Howell, Norma Lorraine (Truitt)

Left this Earth on Saturday 19 December 2015 to live forever with her heavenly father, Jesus Christ. Norma was born on Saturday June 14, 1924, “Flag Day”, in Shreveport Louisiana.   Norma was the only child of Annie Grace Modlin Truitt and Elijah Clarence Truitt. Norma grew up in Shreveport. She graduated from Fair Park High School in 1941.   Although she loved clowns and always wanted to be one, after graduation she decided to be a registered nurse. She attended Tri-State Nursing School in Shreveport Louisiana. Her love of clowns continued with her fun loving pranks and her wonderful sense of humor throughout her lifetime. Norma R.N. training was completed at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Norma’s best friend and roommate was Virginal Cassidy.   Virginia became the mother of our 42nd President Bill Clinton. Many years later Norma told Virginia “if I knew you were carrying our future president, I would have been a better roommate and given you the whole bed.”Norma graduated from Tristate Nursing School in 1944. Norma married Joseph Ralph Howell on July 20, 1945. Norma and Ralph dated while in high school. They married after Ralph’s return from Europe where he was stationed during World War II. After their marriage they moved to El Paso, Texas in 1946.   Where Ralph was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. Norma worked at Southwestern General Hospital. They then were transferred to Sumter South Carolina. The next transfer was to Denver, Colorado where Norma gave birth to a daughter, Linda Jo Howell on October 1, 1948.   While in Denver, Norma worked at Presbyterian Hospital. In 1953 Norma and Ralph were transferred to Cheyenne Wyoming where Norma worked as a nurse for Union Pacific Railroad. During their assignment to Cheyenne Norma and Ralph enjoyed fishing and hunting in their spare time. On July 17, 1953 Norma gave birth to another daughter, Deborah Ann Howell. The next assignment found the Howells in Anchorage Alaska. Norma decided not to work while living in beautiful Alaska, Our 49th State. During this time Norma was very active in the Officers Wife’s Club, Canasta Card Club and Garding Club. Her yard even won the title of the” most beautiful yard” at Elmendorf AFB. Norma and Ralph continued their love of the great outdoors with many fishing and hunting excursions while in Alaska. The last transfer in 1960 found the family at Offutt AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska. Norma started her job as the industrial nurse at Sperry Vickers on March 2, 1964. Norma was the only nurse for over 1,200 employees. Norma treated everything from colds and heart attacks to amputations.   Norma retired on February 2, 1986 with almost 22 years of service at Sperry Vickers. Norma was a 7 year breast cancer survivor and a 14 month lung cancer survivor. Norma was a member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. After retirement Norma enjoyed working in her beautiful yard and spending time with her beloved poodle Gidget. Norma was blessed being able to watch her three granddaughters grow up and be involved with their many activities through the years.   Norma was able to witness each of their marriages and experience the joy of being a great grandmother to four wonderful great grandsons and one great granddaughter. Norma’s love of nature, gardening, hunting, fishing and most of all her “fabulous” sense of humor will live-on in each member of her family forever. Norma was preceded in death by her parents Annie Grace Truitt (1995), Elijah Clarence Truitt (1984), loving husband Joseph Ralph Howell Jr. (1999), Her best friend Maxine Larson (2007) and Her son-in-law Douglas Massey (2011).

Norma is survived by her daughters Linda Jo Howell Massey and Deborah Ann Howell Douglas, both of Omaha, Ne.Son-in-law Keith L. Douglas. Granddaughter Teresa L. Massey Kneifl and husband Lonnie Kneifl of Sioux City, Ia. Granddaughter Buffi L. Massey Union of Omaha. Granddaughter Kristine P. Douglas Mahaney of Kansas City, Mo. Great grandsons Nathan Kneifl, Wesley Union, Justin Union and Evan Kneifl. Great granddaughter Kylie Jo Mahaney.

Visitation with family, Tuesday December 22nd 4 – 7 p.m. at Roeder Funeral Home 2727 North 108th St. Omaha, Ne.with Viewing Tuesday after 1:00 p.m.

Funeral service of music and memories to honor Norma’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday December 23rd at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 6099 Western Ave.  

Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery

Memorials can be made in Norma’s name to Henry Doorly Zoo (Norma’s favorite place to visit)

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – 108th Street Chapel

2727 N 108th St – 402-496-9000

www.RoederMortuary.com