Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:00 AM MDT
GERING, Neb. -- Funeral services for Jennings L. Childs, 96, will be at 1:30 p.m. at Calvary Memorial Church, with the Rev. Charles L Bonds officiating.
Burial will follow at Hull Community Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Gering Memorial Chapel.
A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 11, 2008, in Casper on what would have been his 97th birthday.
He died on August 16, 2008, at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center in Casper.
He was born Oct. 11, 1911, in Shelton, Neb., to Ralph and Rosetta Childs. He grew up on the family farm east of Henry, Neb. He attended grade school in Henry and graduated from High School in Morrill, Neb., in 1928.
He was married to Avis M. Cronn on June 21, 1933, in Mitchell, Neb.
They farmed north of Mitchell until he rejoined the family farming enterprise.
He was a member of the "Top Ten Sugar Beet Growers" in Scottsbluff Valley for several years in a row and was very proud of that honor.
After leaving the farming business, he worked for Jewel Tea and The Fuller Brush Companies.
He retired from the School District Maintenance Department in Cheyenne and returned to live in Scottsbluff.
The last years in Nebraska were spent at Northfield Villa in Gering.
He moved to Casper in 2002, to live with his daughter and her husband.
He was a member of the Methodist Church in Henry and Calvary Memorial Church in Gering.
He was also involved with many musical groups and bands.
He had many interests.
He loved music, and played the clarinet until the time of his death.
He loved outdoor sports such as swimming, skiing and boating.
He enjoyed gardening.
His raspberry patch was the envy of the neighborhood.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather. He was well known for his sense of humor and quick wit.
He will be sadly missed by family, friends and caretakers.
He is survived by his daughters, Arlene Kurtz of Casper and Myrna Gheen of Torrington; siblings, Belva Foland of Billings, Mont., and Arlie and his wife of Nampa, Idaho; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Dale; siblings, Donald, Nellie Meyers, Majel Myers and Maurine Forbes; a granddaughter; and two son-in-laws.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Calvary Memorial Church, PO Box 97, Gering, NE, 69341, or a charity of your choice.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.