Lon Thomas Birnie, 89, of Callaway, Nebraska, went to be with his heavenly father on November 26, 2018. He died peacefully at his home.
Funeral services for Lon will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018, at 10:30 AM at the Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE with Ken Pitkin officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, with family greeting 4:00 to 5:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Township Cemetery south of Broken Bow with Military Honors. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com
He was born on the family homestead on Ryno Table to Robert and Grace (Eggleston) Birnie on October 15, 1929. He attended the Custer Canyon one-room school until the 8th grade and then worked on the family farm.
On February 17, 1953, Lon married Joan (Struempler) in Lexington, Nebraska. He was drafted into the army on March 4th, 1953, and was on active duty in Korea until February 12, 1955. Upon returning home, Lon and Joan settled in rural Callaway where they raised their three children, Cindy, Monty, and Marci. Lon lived all of his 89 years in this community.
Lon was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, son, Monty, three brothers, one sister, and both his and Joan’s parents.
He is survived by daughter Cindy and husband Ron Urbach of Hemet, California, daughter Marci and husband Stuart Gilbertson of Kearney, Nebraska; grandsons Ryan (Julie) Urbach of Vista California, Matthew (Shilo) Birnie of Mesa, Arizona; granddaughters Jessica (Riley) Gruntorad of Lexington, Nebraska and Jordan (Tyler) Cretacci of Amherst, Nebraska and nine great-grandchildren.
