Bernard McMahon

Bernard J. McMahon, 88, of Giltner, NE, died Monday, October 17, 2011 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 21st at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aurora, Nebraska with the Rev. Dennis Hunt officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Giltner, NE. Visitation will be Thursday, October 20th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Giltner with the family to receive friends from 5-8 p.m. with the rosary to be recited 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 www.higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: BERNARD McMAHON

Bernard Joseph McMahon was born December 15, 1922 in Central City, Nebraska the son of Joseph Peter and Vivienne Anna (Farrell) McMahon. Bernard received his education from District #38 in Merrick County and graduating from Central City High School with the class of 1940. He entered the United States Army in Jan. 15, 1943 at Fort Crook, (Omaha), Nebraska serving with the Reconnaissance Company #692 Tank Destroyer Battalion. He served during World War II in the European Theater. Bernard’s tour of duty included: Omaha Beach, The Battle @Antrwerp, Belgium, Battle of the Bulge, 1st platoon to siege and cross the Remagen Bridge and guarding the German-Austrian border. He received his honorable discharge, December 6, 1945 from Camp Swift, Texas. He then returned to Central City to farm with his farther.

He was united in marriage to Petronella (Nellie) Bader on October 8, 1947 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island, NE, by Msgr. Leo Keating. To this union, 11 children were born: Tom, Mary, Patrick, Margaret, Catherine, Jeanne, Joe, Rita, John, Anne, & Marilyn. The couple began their married life in Grand Island before moving to Merrick County where he farmed. In March 1953 they moved to a farm south of Aurora, NE & later to Giltner in 1956. Bernard was employed by Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, worked as a substitute rural mail carrier and retired from Bonnavilla Homes in Aurora in 1986. Bernard & Nellie celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2007. He was an avid baseball fan as a player and a coach. In his youth he played for ”Irish Town”.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Giltner, NE, joined the Knight’s of Columbus Council 1159 of Grand Island April 1, 1942 and transferred to Aurora – Giltner Council #8010 in 1986 where he served as Grand Knight for two years. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post #5539, Harvard, NE, and American Legion of Aurora. He served on Giltner Town board for 22 years where he was instrumental in many city projects.

Those left to cherish his thoughts and memories are his wife of 64 years: Petronella (Nellie) McMahon of Giltner, NE Son & daughter in law: Bernard T. (Tom) and Pamela McMahon, Roseville, CA Son & daughter in law Patrick L. and Patricia McMahon, Hemingford, NE Son & daughter in law: Joseph T. and Betty McMahon, Omaha, NE Son & daughter in law: John M. and Dianne McMahon, Grand Island, NE Daughter & son in law: Mary (Daniel) Schartz, Gothenburg, NE Daughter & son in law: Margaret (Randy) Carrier, Salina, KS Daughter & son in law: Catherine (Denis) Bachman, Giltner, NE Daughter: Jeanne Robertshaw, Aurora, NE Daughter & son in law: Rita (Scott) Harmon, Trumbull, NE Daughter & son in law: Anne (Mark) Pittard, Ankeny, IA Daughter & son in law: Marilyn (Todd) Williams, Doniphan, NE

15 Granddaughters: Lisa (Johnson) Mlnarik, Amy (Johnson) Ahlers, Trisha (Bachman) VanDiest, Jocelyn Robertshaw, Sarah Bachman, Haley (McMahon) Lenz, Amanda (McMahon) Goracke, Chelsey McMahon, Ashley (McMahon) Edwards, Krista McMahon, Natalie Harmon, Johnna Jo McMahon, Leah Pittard, Callie Pittard, Abby Williams

16 Grandsons: Jason Carrier, Sean McMahon, Jeremy McMahon, Christopher McMahon, Nathan Carrier, Joseph McMahon, Ryan Robertshaw, Michael Bachman, Evan Harmon, Kyle McMahon, Nicholas Williams, Benjamin Harmon, Jacob McMahon, Elliot Williams, Blake Williams, Grant Williams

20 Great Grandchildren: Isabelle K. McMahon, Charley Jean Mlnarik, Joe B. Ahlers, Benjamin S. Van Diest, Nicolas A. Carrier, Laurenne Fraser, Claire C. McMahon, Cecila L. Mlnarik, Zayne T. McMahon, Bailey K. Ahlers, Emerson M. Mlnarik, J. Teag McMahon, Beau O. Ahlers, Dean C. McMahon, Lauryn M. Van Diest, John B. Mlnarik, Bryce B. Goracke, Regan M. Lenz, Keyan R. McMahon, Aurelia R. Mlnarik

Sister: Mary Jisa, Hastings, NE

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister – Agnes Bricault, son in law – Barry Robertshaw, & two brothers in law, Robert Bricault & Leonard Jisa.