John Nunes, 93, passed away at Highland Park Assisted Living on February 16, 2022. He was valiant and good-natured during his declining health. We celebrate his long, full life and honor his legacy.
John was the oldest child of Anthony and Martina Nunes. He was born in St. Paul, MN. Along with his siblings, he grew up on western Nebraska farms during the Great Depression and attended country schools in Oshkosh, Lewellen and Alliance. Sneaking into country school is where John taught himself how to play the piano. At a young age, hard work became the cornerstone of his life.
John graduated from Alliance High School in 1947, while also working a part time job at the Burlington Ice House. As a young man, he gave his railroad paychecks to his parents. He was the first in his family to complete high school. In shop class, he excelled at woodworking, which later became an enthusiastic hobby that produced many memorable remodeling and home improvement projects. After graduation, John began a day job at LaFave Dairy and worked nights for Burlington Refrigerator Express (BREX), loading ice blocks into “reefers.” In 1968, he accepted a job transfer and promotion to Peoria, Illinois. Then came a second relocation to Galesburg, Illinois, where John retired in 1990 after 38 years of service with Burlington Northern. Peoria is where he met his second wife, Betty Howell, at a singles dance. They were married on February 27, 1971, in Creve Couer, IL. After John’s retirement, they became avid travelers and moved to the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. When Betty’s health failed, John took on the steadfast role of care provider until she passed away in 2013.
John returned home to his Nebraska roots to be near his adult children and their families, especially his son, Jerry, who was battling MS. He became a popular lap for great and great-great grandkids and attended his first Nebraska football game in Lincoln, NE. After Jerry’s passing, John was given the honor of walking his granddaughter, Jayme, down the aisle at her wedding. He was known for his genuine kindness, silly wise-cracks, sense of humor and colorful assortment of plaid shirts. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. John was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents, brothers Martin, Richard and Tony, sister Jean Peterson, son Jerry Nunes, step-son John Bybee, and step-grandson David Willingham.
He is survived by daughters Janet Nunes, Lincoln, NE, Joan (Mike) Shannon, Alliance, NE, step-daughter Carolyn Bybee (Jim) Willingham, Rogersville, MO; grandchildren Shelly (Jeff) Kuta, Silver Creek, NE, Jon (Erika) Nunes, Lincoln, NE, Christopher Nunes, Lincoln, NE, Jason Nunes, Las Vegas, NV, Cassie Kindred, Alliance, NE, Melissa (Alex) Gomez, Fate, TX, Jayme (Zach) Clark, Alliance, NE, Andrew Nunes, Alliance, NE, Katelyn (Ross) Dunn, Twentynine Palms, CA, step-grandsons Dean and Dennis Willingham, Rogersville, MO; great grandchildren Jordyn Brosnahan, Tyler Pavich, Taylor Cooney, Kaden and Peyton Kindred, TJ and Haley Nunes, Jonathan and Jameson Nunes, Jacob Kuta, April and Myles Gomez, Bennett and Jerrod Clark, Hendrix Dunn, step-great grandchildren Connie Marcil, Nathan and Jennifer Willingham; great-great grandchildren Creyton, Cannon and Eastyn Brosnahan, Isaac, Aubrey, Caroline and Harper Pavich, Forrest Cooney, step-great-great grandchildren Madison Marcil, Jaden and James Willingham. He is also survived by sister Phyllis (Verlin) Schultz, Hill City, SD, and a multitude of nieces and nephews who refer to him as “Uncle Johnny.”
Cremation has taken place. A private inurnment will take place at a later date.