Gary Joyce

Gary Joyce, age 61, of Aurora died Saturday, August 21, 2004, at his home.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, August 24th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aurora. Fr. Craig Doty will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 P.M. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: GARY JOYCE

Gary Eugene Joyce, the son of Martin and Hilda (Pope) Joyce, was born in Aurora, Nebraska on October 24, 1942 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on August 21, 2004, at the age of 61.

He grew up in the Giltner area and graduated from Giltner High School in 1959. Gary went to work for the Kreutz Brothers following graduation.

Gary was united in marriage to Karen L. Mersch on December 31, 1962 at Springer, New Mexico. He worked for Don Davis at OK Tire in Aurora. They moved to a farm near Giltner in 1967, where he farmed for 17 years before moving to Aurora in 1984. Gary then worked for the Hamilton County Highway Department until his health prohibited him from working.

Gary was a member of the Eagles Club and had been a member of the Little Blue Riders Saddle Club. He loved horses and the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and friends. He liked to dance and especially square dancing. Gary also looked forward each year to helping his son on the farm.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Brent Alan Joyce and three brothers-in-law.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Karen of Aurora; two children, Todd (Angela) Joyce of Aurora, Tari (Roger) Sears of Sutherland; 6 grandchildren, Brittanie, Bryce, Shanael, Jesse, Justin and Audra; four sisters, Marilyn Adam of Ravenna, Bonnie (Jerry) Wendt of Giltner, Rose Marie Warren of Aurora and Margaret Schneider of Aurora and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Nancy (Ron) Underwood of Grand Island and father-in-law, George Mersch of Aurora.