John W. Brickner

John Wesley Brickner passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the age of 87. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was an inspiration to all of his family. John had many dear friends and was a respected member of the community wherever he lived. He was born on September 23, 1938, in Lander, Wyoming to Bud and Ella Brickner. He graduated from Ord High School and attended Kearney State College where he met his wife Josephine (Miller) Brickner. They were married in the Catholic Church in Elm Creek, Nebraska on June 27, 1959. The couple started their family in Hastings, Nebraska, where they lived from 1961 to 1976. John trained as a bricklayer at Fast Construction in Hastings, and they raised four children. In his off hours, he stayed busy renovating apartments and doing other brick work on the weekends. He also found time to be involved with his children's interests and activities. He took very few vacations, but when the family did travel it was usually to visit family or to go waterskiing with his brother Bruce and his family. In 1977, while John was working for Geist Construction, the family moved to Grand Island, Nebraska. After a few years, John decided to go back to college to finish his teaching degree. He graduated in 1983, which was the same year that his son Chris graduated from high school. He worked at Cedar Hollow and continued to study to get his administrative degree. When he graduated, he took his first Principal job at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. While living and working in Omaha, he attended UNO and received his specialist degree a few years later. In 1988, he and Jo returned to Grand Island where he took a job as principal for District 1R. In 1999, John took his last administrative position as Superintendent for Ewing Public Schools where he worked until his retirement in 2006. John retired and he and Jo moved to Wilber, Nebraska to be near family. John was very active in the community. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Lion's Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He traveled to Europe with the European Tour Group and even took two years of German at Wilber High School just for fun. John felt his choice to retire in Wilber was the best decision he ever made. He helped with community projects like the Veteran's Memorial and the Wilber signs using his brick skills to help the community. He enjoyed bowling and golfing with friends, substituted for Wilber-Clatonia High School, and was welcomed into a group of wonderful friends who met every Wednesday night for cards, libations, and fellowship. His family knew never to call on card night, as this calendar slot became a top priority. John is preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Brickner, his parents, Bud and Ella Brickner, his brothers Tom and Bruce Brickner, and his oldest son, Neal Brickner Sr. John is survived by his daughter, Janet Burger and his sons Chris and Wesley Brickner. His surviving sibling is Leah Brickner Begalle. He is also survived by his grandchildren Neal Brickner, Jr., Ryan Brickner, Erica Brickner Wilkins, Echo Morehouse, Sky Mankin and Ian Brickner, and his great grandchildren Millie, Eleanor, Dedric, Jordan, Dom, Callie and Zane. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 5 - 7 PM at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber, Nebraska. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, November 21st at 11:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilber. The Rosary will be at 10:30 AM before the Mass. Memorials have been designated to the Knights of Columbus. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber.