John C. McElhaney, age 79 of Monroe, died Friday, October 21, 2011, at Monroe Clinic Hospital. John was born May 3, 1932, in Plainview, Nebraska, to Harriett J. (Robertson) and E.C. McElhaney.
John graduated from Benson High School in Omaha, NE, in 1949 and obtained his BA degree in 1953 and law degree in 1958 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July, 1953, and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in April, 1955, after serving in the Korean War.
He married Marilyn J. Rutsch on June 18, 1978, at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Jean McElhaney and Kathi Edwards.
John was employed as a trust officer in Lincoln, NE, before coming to the Commercial Bank of Monroe in 1963. He served as Vice President and Trust Officer before retiring from Bank One in December, 1988. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Zor Shrine, and St. John's United Church of Christ, where he served on the church council and the building committees for Garden Apartments and St. Clare Friedensheim. He was an active member and past president of the Monroe Kiwanis Club. He served on the Kiwanis Scholarship Committee and received the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award.
Music was an important part of John's life, as he was a 41 year member and long time president of the Monroe City Band and played trumpet in the Zor Shrine Concert Band and Noblemen.
He was also involved with Crimestoppers and Toothless Tigers.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn McElhaney of Monroe; two daughters, Jean McElhaney of Middleton and Kathi Edwards of Rockford, IL; his sister, Marian (Owen) Brainard of Elwood, NE; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jane Bicek.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 1:00 P.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, with Rev. Dr. W.T. Mike Heath officiating. Private family interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in John's name to Shrine Hospital for Children or St. John's Garden Apartments. The Newcomer Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send an expression of sympathy go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
John graduated from Benson High School in Omaha, NE, in 1949 and obtained his BA degree in 1953 and law degree in 1958 from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July, 1953, and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in April, 1955, after serving in the Korean War.
He married Marilyn J. Rutsch on June 18, 1978, at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Jean McElhaney and Kathi Edwards.
John was employed as a trust officer in Lincoln, NE, before coming to the Commercial Bank of Monroe in 1963. He served as Vice President and Trust Officer before retiring from Bank One in December, 1988. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Zor Shrine, and St. John's United Church of Christ, where he served on the church council and the building committees for Garden Apartments and St. Clare Friedensheim. He was an active member and past president of the Monroe Kiwanis Club. He served on the Kiwanis Scholarship Committee and received the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award.
Music was an important part of John's life, as he was a 41 year member and long time president of the Monroe City Band and played trumpet in the Zor Shrine Concert Band and Noblemen.
He was also involved with Crimestoppers and Toothless Tigers.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn McElhaney of Monroe; two daughters, Jean McElhaney of Middleton and Kathi Edwards of Rockford, IL; his sister, Marian (Owen) Brainard of Elwood, NE; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jane Bicek.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 1:00 P.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, with Rev. Dr. W.T. Mike Heath officiating. Private family interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in John's name to Shrine Hospital for Children or St. John's Garden Apartments. The Newcomer Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send an expression of sympathy go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.