Eldon Burkey, 94, of Scottsbluff, passed away Sunday, Sept 22, 2019 at the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home. His memorial service will be held at 1pm on Monday, Oct 7, 2019 at the Community of Christ Church in Scottsbluff. The family respectfully requests that memorials in Eldon’s honor may be made in care of the church. Online condolences may be made by viewing Eldon’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Eldon was born Oct 31, 1924 in Gering, NE to Albert and Ethel (Snook) Burkey. He graduated from Gering High School. Some highlights during his school years were playing half-back and linebacker in football, running track, achieving Boys State, being elected Mayor for a day and getting to throw the switch for Gering’s first mercury streetlights.
He farmed with his father north of Mitchell, joined the Army, and was headed for Japan on a troop ship when the war ended. His company landed in Japan two weeks after the two atomic bombs were dropped. He became a staff sergeant and oversaw the logistics of unloading supply ships.
Eldon was a self-sustaining minister in the Community of Christ Church. He farmed, ranched, trucked, and worked as a weight master at livestock auction barns in the area.
He is survived by his bother Eddie; children Russell Burkey, DeAnn (Nolan) White, Becky Reisig, Kim (Marlyce Strecker) Burkey and Kevin (Pam Hance) Burkey; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Dale (Jacquie) Harsin; sister-in-law Jeanne Harsin; former daughter-in-law Sandy Burkey; and special friend Francis Heumesser.
He is preceded in death by Margaret, his love and wife of 71 years, parents Albert and Ethel, sister Virginia Weatherfield, brother Clyde, and infant children Charity and Dell.
