Glenn E. Blakeman

1930 - 2015

Glenn E. Blakeman, age 84, of Broken Bow, formally of Merna, passed away Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. 
Glenn was born Aug. 28, 1930, at the family farm west of Merna to Hazel (Empfield) and Homer Blakeman. He attended country school and graduated from Merna High School in 1947 and attended Omaha U studying engineering.
It was in Omaha that he met the love of his life Shirley Ann Johnson and on March 29, 1958, they were united in marriage at the First Lutheran Church in Oakland Nebraska.
They lived in Omaha for a year and then were called back to the family farm where they have resided until April of 2015. To this union he was blessed with two sons, John and Paul, and two daughters, Nancy and Mary. 
Glenn served in the Navy reserves for seven years. He was an active member of the Merna EUB and later known as the Merna United Methodist church where he received his 75 year pin.
Glenn was a board member of the Custer Public Power District for 24 years. He had a passion to improve the availability of electricity for all and especially rural Nebraska. He was a member of the Elks 1688, 60 year member of the Masonic Lodge, 50 plus year's member of Eastern Star and served on the Anselmo-Merna School board. Glenn was an active blood donor and rarely missed giving.
He was known for his witty dry humor and had lots of one liners that he would share with everyone he met. He did not know a stranger and kept a lot of his information in his little black book. He loved to travel and would always have everything all mapped out and was early to everything. He loved to attend all the grandkids events if he was able. 
He loved the Merna valley and spent many hours looking out his picture window admiring the land.   
He is survived by his wife, Shirley of 57 years of Broken Bow; sons, John (Deb) Blakeman, and Paul (Lori) Blakeman of Merna; daughters, Nancy (Randy) Henry of Lincoln, and Mary (Rod) Ross of Callaway; seven grandchildren, Kyle (Sarah) Blakeman, Kevin (Brandy) Blakeman, Lindsay Blakeman, all of Merna, Ashley (Mark) McCormick of Oklahoma City, Okla., Aaron (Becca) Henry of Lincoln, and Trevor and Taylor Ross of Callaway; and three great-grandchildren, Burke and Taryn Blakeman of Merna and Cael McCormick of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one sister, Carrie Jo (Bob) Marth of Loveland, Colo.; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Montoya of Omaha; and one brother-in-law, Melvin (Helen) Johnson of Blair. 
He was preceded by his parents; and brother-in-law, Robert Montoya.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, at the Broken Bow United Methodist Church with pastor Bill Williams officiating. Burial will follow at the Merna Cemetery. 
Goviers Mortuary will be in charge of the arrangements and visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. with family greeting from 6 - 8 pm.
Memorials are suggested to the Merna United Methodist Church and the Anselmo-Merna Foundation.