Donald J. Nealon

Donald J. Nealon, Sr. 82 of St. Libory, died Saturday, January 3rd at CHI Health-St. Francis. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 Friday, January 9th at the St. Libory’s Catholic Church. Father Sidney B. Bruggeman will officiate. To honor Mr. Nealon’s wishes cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island. Mr. Nealon was born February 3, 1932 on a farm in Greeley County the son of Frank M. and Anna P. (Trella) Nealon. Survivors include his wife, Leah; daughter, Deb Weber of Cairo; son and daughter-in-law, Donnie, Jr. and Debbie Nealon of Brownsville, Oregon; daughters, Marie Smith and Michelle Sorem both of Oregon; son, Scott Anderson of St. Libory and grandchildren, Brittany and Ashley Weber, Kimberly and Brad Archelta, D.J., III and Dawnita Nealon, Staci and Ben Barnes, Nic and Jamie Smith, Sharmin and Chad Welch, Dalton and Wyatt Anderson and Michael and Matthew Sorem. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael; son-in-law, Chuck Weber and sisters, Peg, Marylou, Patti, Betty and Jeannette. Donald grew up in Greeley County attending school at O’Connor graduating in 1949. He served with the U.S. Navel Reserves from 1951-1954. In May of 1967 he married Leah (Nelson) Anderson. Donald moved to Grand Island in 1956, working for Color Craft Tile Co., John Priest Trucking as a truck mechanic, Lammert Transfer until opening his own shop on West HWY 30 in Grand Island. He then was shop foreman for GMC for several years. Donald then worked for many years for S&C Motors as shop foreman until suffering a heart attack which forced him into partial retirement in February 1993. Following retirement he worked part time for several years. Donald and Leah moved to a farm near St. Libory in 1977. He joined the Hall County Sheriff’s Posse in 1967, serving in several offices including board of operations. He was on the building and grounds committee helping plan the first indoor arena at the Saddle Club which was destroyed in 1980. He helped plan and build the present location. He was a member of the Hall County Reserve Officers Association for several years; a 4-H leader for 21 years with the horse club; he raised, trained and competed with Appaloosa horses; raised and trained thoroughbred horses which he enjoyed very much; was a long time member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as ride coordinator for trail rides across Nebraska. He was a member of the Nebraska Quarter Horse Association serving on the board for many years helping manage Quarter horse shows across Nebraska; a member of the Illinois Ridge Riders and rode for 38 years; he helped organize the Pine Ridge Riders riding with them for 20 years and South Dakota Rides for 5 years. Trail riding was a great love of Don’s for many years. In 2007 he was appointed a member of the Howard County Tourism Committee. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in memory of Don.

Donald J. Nealon

February 3, 1932 - January 3, 2015

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Donald J. Nealon

February 3, 1932 - January 3, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support