John H. Culp

John Henry Culp, 88, of Fairbury passed away into the arms of Jesus on January 31, 2013. John was born March 8, 1924, in Fairbury, Nebraska, to Grover and Bertha Culp.

John spent his childhood in Fairbury and also spent many hours on his Grandparents Culp farm near Bruning, Nebraska.

John attended school in Fairbury and Fairbury High School until he was drafted into the army during WWII. He served in the Pacific until the end of the war. Upon his return, he returned to Fairbury High School and graduated in 1947. John spent a total of 28 years in service to his country including time in the Army and Nebraska National Guard.

John met Darlene M. Culp in 1947, married on January 1, 1949, and just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on January 1, 2013. John and Darlene made a home in Fairbury and were blessed with four children: Karen, Jean, James, and Terri.

Over the years, John worked several jobs in Fairbury including with Farmers Union Creamery, Fairbury Planning Mill, First National Bank, Ellis Sunshine Hatchery, and the Post Office. He spent 20 years with the Fairbury Lights and Water Department where he retired from when he turned 65.

John will be remembered for his unconditional love for his family, friends, and animals. He loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed his nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and his little dog BJ. He would “light up” and always smile every time his grandchildren would come to visit and very rarely miss an opportunity to cheer them on at their sporting activities or school programs. John would always beam with pride at all their accomplishments.

John was a true “people person” and enjoyed spending time making friends, trading stories, talking about sports, putting puzzles together, and playing games and cards especially pitch.

John was a member and officer of several organizations including the Shriners, Masons, and Elks. John enjoyed gardening, carpentry, remodeling, camping, fishing, hunting, collecting little cars, and going on vacation. John loved to bowl, spent many years on a bowling league, and was a member of a team that won in the State tournaments a couple times. He enjoyed playing baseball and especially loved the Huskers.

John was an amazing man who was an important part of all his family and friends lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceding him in death were his grandparents, parents; daughter Karen Culp; sisters Elsa Dafford, Ruth Baker and Margaret Culp; half-brother, Earl Culp; and two half-sisters, Wilma Clark and Marie Wilmont.

John is survived by his wife Darlene Culp of Fairbury, his children daughter Jean and husband Larry Naiman of Fairbury; daughter Terri and husband Dan Sargent of Lewiston; son James Culp of Lincoln; granddaughter Stacey and husband Ryan Dvorak of Lincoln; granddaughter Kellie and husband Willie Abood of Ravenna; grandson Jason and wife Stacey Naiman of Kearney; granddaughter Angie and husband Kurt Agena; granddaughter Michelle and husband Phil Reinke; all of Beatrice; granddaughter Amber Sargent of Beatrice; granddaughter Lindsey and husband Mark Brown of Lincoln; granddaughter Shawna Lowe and husband Ryan of Peculiar, MO.; granddaughter Crystal Culp of Lincoln; six great grandsons: Alex Naiman of Kearney; Brady Lowe of Peculiar MO.; Will Abood of Ravenna; Trevor and Tristan Reinke of Beatrice; and Braylon Brown of Lincoln; five great granddaughters: Gracie, Julianna, Natalie Abood of Ravenna; Macie Brown of Lincoln; and Brylee Naiman of Kearney; brother Russell Culp and wife Doris of Fairbury; brother Louis Culp and wife Mary of Texas; sister Dorothy Jonas of Kansas City, MO; sister Leona Heyen of Hastings; sister Muriel “Midge” Oliver of Colorado; sister Loretta Ayers and husband Ivan of Fairbury; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury with Lana Likens officiating. Burial in the Fairbury Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.