Donald Lightwine

Don Lightwine, age 75, of Aurora died Saturday, March 28, 2009, at his home.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, April 1st at the Aurora United Methodist Church. Rev. Mary Scott will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: DONALD LIGHTWINE

Donald Leroy Lightwine, the son of Stephen and Blanche Susan (Straight) Lightwine, was born in Orson, Iowa on April 7, 1933 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on March 28, 2009, at the age of 75.

Don attended school in Orson through the 8th grade. He then worked on the family farm, boxed in Golden Gloves and competed at rodeos. Don served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the U.S.S. Pittsburgh, before he was honorably discharged.

Donald was united in marriage to Margaret Cleonne Pollard on January 30, 1956, at Laverne, Minnesota. After they were married they moved to a farm near Pisgah, Iowa. During their marriage Don worked at the Farm Cooperatives in the towns they lived: Missouri Valley, Iowa; Madison, Nebraska; Loveland, Colorado and Laurel, Nebraska before moving to Aurora in 1965. In 1968, Don went to work for Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company before retiring after 35 years of service in 2003. Cleonne passed away on March 2, 2002.

Don was a member of the United Methodist Church, American Legion and V.F.W. He served on the Aurora City Council and was an Aurora Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Don especially loved his grandkids. He enjoyed people coming to his house, especially the kids in the neighborhood who enjoyed his tub of candy. He loved to cook and share his food purchases with family, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Harlan Lightwine and sister, Mary Lou Moore.

Don is survived by his three children, Shelly (Craig) Weedin of Aurora, Mark (Beth) Lightwine of Geneva and Tammy (Gary) Case of Oakland; 10 grandchildren, Nate (Kayla) Weedin of Omaha, Luke, Seth and Drew Weedin of Lincoln, Cody (Penny) Lightwine of Geneva, Heidi (Shaun) Farmer of Geneva, Kelsey and Tyce Lightwine of Geneva and Tanner and Teigan Case of Oakland; 2 great-granddaughters, Layla and Khloe; sisters, Juanita Carrier and Annetta Vallier; brother-in-law, Bill Moore; loving friends, Danny & Shawna Smith and nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.