Photography
Official Obituary of

John J Masonbrink

August 12, 1940 ~ June 15, 2014 (age 73) 73 Years Old

John Masonbrink Obituary

John J. Masonbrink, age 73, of rural Humboldt, NE, passed away Sunday, June 15, at his home. A graveside funeral service for John Masonbrink is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 10:30 a.m. at the Bedford Cemetery in Howe, NE. Military graveside honors provided by the Air Force Honor Guard and Shubert American Legion Post #222

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 18, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn, NE.

Obit:

John Jay Masonbrink of Humboldt, NE passed away June 15, 2014, after a three and a half year battle with Merkel cell cancer at the age of 73. He was born August 12, 1940 at Humboldt. He was the first child and only son of Roy and Arlene (Coons) Masonbrink.

John graduated from Stella High School in 1958 He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from Peru State College in 1962 and a Bachelor of Science with distinction in 1970. In 1974 he received a Master of Science in Education from Northwest Missouri State University. He was the science, chemistry and physics teacher at Falls City Public Schools for 27 years.

In 1962, he married Gail Ankrom at Howe, NE. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary on October 13, 2012. They were high school sweethearts and classmates.

John joined the U.S. Air Force in 1962 and served for six years during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Gulfport, Miss. Blytheville, AR, and the Island of Guam. He served as communications officer. He left the service having earned the rank of Captain in 1968.

Upon returning to the Stella area, he began farming in addition to teaching. He enjoyed working the  soil and keeping up on the latest developments in agriculture.

In keeping with John’s generous nature, he was a big supporter of the Brownville Village Theatre, the Brownville Concert Series and may of the events and activities in Brownville.
He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge # 963 in Falls City. He was also a long time member of the Eagles and the V.F.W.

John is survived by his wife, Gail; sisters Karen Krofta, of Humboldt, NE; Mary (Marvin) Rupp of Perry OK; nieces Shari (Chuck) Jaros of Humboldt, NE; Julie (Don) Shepard of Omaha; nephews Jason (Rebekah) Rupp of Morrison, OK; Kyle (Brittany) Rupp of Glencoe, OK; Jim (Stacie) Ankrom of Richland, WA; Mike (Jodi) Ankrom of Arlington, WA; Chris (Martha) Ankrom of Mesa, AZ; and nine grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family who will donate them to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to be used for research on Merkel Cell


Hall Funeral Chapel of Auburn, NE is in charge of arrangements for John J. Masonbrink.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John J Masonbrink, please visit our floral store.


Services

Visitation
Wednesday
June 18, 2014

1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Hall Funeral Chapel
707 15th
Auburn, NE 68305

Graveside Service
Thursday
June 19, 2014

10:30 AM
Bedford Cemetery

Howe, NE

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