Gary Porter
Gary E. Porter, 72, of Elba, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024, surrounded by his family, at CHI Health—Good Samaritan in Kearney.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba. Reverend Vince Parsons celebrated the Mass.
Linda Wilson was the lector. Giftbearers included Abbie Sis, Mackenzie Obermeier, Macy Porter, Broc Porter, and Collins Sis.
Musical selections included “Little Drummer Boy” by Pentatonix, “Amazing Grace” by Pentatonix, “Let the Sun Shine Polka” by Fred Ziwich, “Jealous of the Angels” by Donna Taggart, and “Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks.
Casketbearers included Matt Porter, Luke Porter, Kyle Lindeman, Ryan Porter, Nate Myers, Damon Lauritsen, Nicholas Porter, and Parker Sis.
Dan Porter, Leland Studley, Delton Myers, Jim Pearson, Tom Langan, Rodney Wilson, Kevin Chelewski, and all of Gary’s many musician friends were the honorary pallbearers.
Burial was in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Elba.
Memorials are suggested to the Porter family to establish a music scholarship in Gary’s name.
Gary was born on May 17, 1952, in St. Paul, the son of Derrel J. and Regene A. (Kuszak) Porter. The family lived in various communities while Gary was growing up, due to his father’s work in heavy construction. The family moved to Elba in 1967 and he graduated from Elba High School in 1970.
He was united in marriage to Judith Spilinek on December 18, 1971 in Elba. Two children, Michelle and Jason, were born to this union. The couple later divorced.
Gary worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction. He had worked for Cass Construction, Nebraska’s department of roads, the Village of Elba, and retired in the fall of 2020 from Howard County Roads Department.
Gary’s greatest passion was music. He played with the Chelewski Brothers, Variety Boys, and numerous other area bands.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba and a longtime member of the Elba Fire Department and EMTs.
Gary enjoyed hot rod classic cars and drag racing. He loved Cornhusker football and the Kansas City Chiefs.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Obermeier and Damon Lauritsen of Dannebrog; son, Jason and Lisa Porter of St. Paul; five grandchildren, Abbie and Parker Sis of Axtell, Mackenzie Obermeier of Omaha, and Luke Porter, Macy Porter, and Broc Porter, all of St. Paul; one great-granddaughter, Collins Sis; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Carol Porter of La Vista; sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Delton Myers of Papillion; nephews and niece, Nicholas Porter, Ryan Porter, Kacie and Kyle Lindeman, and Nate and Mariela Myers; and several great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Porter.
Condolences and memories may be shared with Gary’s family by visiting www.petersfuneralhome. net.
The Phonograph-Herald | August 21, 2024