Ronald Bryer

ST. PAUL - Ronald R. "Ron" Bryer, 78, of St. Paul died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, at his home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wolbach. The Rev. Dr. Nicki Jo McIntyre will officiate. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Wolbach, with military rites by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul.

Mr. Bryer was born Dec. 14, 1933, in Grand Island to Glen E. and Lola Mae (McIntyre) Bryer.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nora Jean Bryer, and an infant daughter, Billi Jo.

Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Sandra of St. Paul; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Debb and Jim Meyer of Elkhorn, Rona and Steve Kucera of Grand Island, Bobbi Bryer and fiance, Mike Marvicka, Jr. of Ashton, Jackie and Jerry Thompson of St. Paul; a stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Jamey and Tina Sok of Giltner; a stepdaughter, Amanda Sok of Kearney; five granddaughters, two grandsons and three great-grandsons; one stepgranddaughter and one stepgrandson; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Daryl and Cherie Bryer and David and Cheryl Bryer of Lincoln; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Bryer of Grand Island.

Ron grew up and attended Wolbach schools and graduated from Wolbach High School in 1951. He worked as an elementary teacher for one year at Killinger Elementary School near Wolbach. Ron was united in marriage to Nora Jean Kelly on Dec. 27, 1952, in Spalding. In 1952, Ron entered the United States Air Force serving as crew chief and security guard for several generals at Offutt Air Force Base. He spent four years in the Reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1956. The couple moved to Santa Rosa, Calif. where he worked for Western Electric until 1958.

He moved back to Wolbach in 1959 and worked part-time as Village Marshall for Spalding, then as a Village Marshall in Wolbach from 1960-1961. He served as a Burwell Police Patrolman from 1960 to 1961 and then as a Police Patrolman in St. Paul from 1961-1967. He was the St. Paul Chief of Police from 1967 until 1971. Ron was appointed as Civil Defense Director in 1967.

In 1977, he was appointed as the Howard County Communication Director, which he served until 1999. He served the people as Howard County Sheriff from 1971 until retiring in 1999. Ron served 40 years in law enforcement.

Ron was united in marriage to Sandra (Wilson) Sok on Aug. 13, 1997, in Grand Island. The couple lived in St. Paul.

He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wolbach and the Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul and the Nebraska Sheriffs Association.

Ron enjoyed riding his motorcycle "Smokie", Nebraska football games, camping and fishing, and teaching country western dancing. He had a love for all types of gadgets and a knack for fixing things. He loved all his family and spending time with friends.

Ron will be remembered for being fair, firm and friendly during his time that he worked in law enforcement. He loved serving the people of Howard County.

Ron was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dennis and Regis Bryer; an infant brother; one niece, Tiffany Bryer, aunts and uncles.

Memorials are suggested to ALS Association, Ken Worthington Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America or Howard County Medical Center Foundation.

Condolences and tributes for Ron may be signed at www.jacobsengreenway.com.

Please sign the online guestbook at theindependent.com.