Junior Diefenbaugh

Merna, NE- Junior Diefenbaugh age 86 of Merna died January 21, 2010 at his home in Merna. Funeral services will be held Monday January 25, 2010 at 11:00 AM in the Evangelical Free Church in Broken Bow with Jerry Rickets officiating. Burial will be in the Merna Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held Sunday January 24, 1 PM to 6 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow with the family greeting friend 1 PM to 2 PM. Memorials have been established to the Merna Volunteer Fire Department. Junior Neale Diefenbaugh, age 86, of Merna, NE died January 21, 2010. Funeral services are being held at 11:00 AM in the Evangelical Free Church in Broken Bow with burial in the Merna Cemetery with military honors. Junior, the only child of Alfred John Henry and Myrtie Maude Cornford Diefenbaugh, was born northeast of Litchfield, NE on August 20, 1923. He attended schools at Litchfield, Compton, Willow Dell, and Windy Point. He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1945. While serving he was a member of the Black Cat Tank Destroyer Unit. Junior and Willda Idell Crone were married June 28, 1944 in Broken Bow, NE. They later moved to Merna in 1946 and bought the Phillips 66 Service Station where he worked with his family for 30 years. While in Merna, Junior served on the Merna School Board, was involved 50 plus years with the Merna Volunteer Fire Department, was a life time member of the American Legion, and also a Disabled American Veteran. He worked for Jerry Safranek for 20 years, driving the grain cart, discing, mowing, hauling fuel, washing the race car, running errands and anything else that he could help with. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, trap shooting, stock car races, gathering winter wood, riding the four wheeler, spending time with family and coffee friends, and attending his grandchildren’s ball games and activities. Junior is survived by his wife of 65 years, Willda. His children and grandchildren including, Mike and Judy Diefenbaugh of Merna, Misti Diefenbaugh, of Idaho Falls, ID, Michelle and Marv Lane, Kayla and Wyatt of Arcadia, Kristi and Scott Thinnes and Kaya of Idaho Falls, ID, Kyle and Kristy Diefenbaugh, Baylee, Kaydee and Brody of Loomis; Joan and Jim Foster of Merna, Joshua and Jennifer Foster, Ty, Bryce and Lainey of Edmond, OK, Zachary Foster of Kearney; Yvonne Tucker of Merna, Hayley Tucker and fiancé Evan Quidachay-Swan of Port Orchard, WA, Preston and Alicia Tucker, Tahnna Nokes and Miranda Tucker of Ord, Derrick and Megan Tucker of Merna; Deb and Steve Miller of Callaway, Trevor and Heather Pierce and Hazen of Berthoud, CO, Sean and Sara Pierce and Ally of North Platte. Also foster kids Gerry Dill and Marry Dill Lyons. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Myrtie Diefenbaugh and great grandson Brett Andrew Foster.