John Godown
The Nebraska Signal
18 Oct 1995
John Anthony Godown was born to Guy Jay Godown and Mary (McCarthy) Godown on Feb. 25, 1946 at Grand Island, Nebraska, and passed away Oct 10, 1995 in Lincoln at the age of 49 years, 8 months and 10 days. He was one of five children in the family.
John grew up on a small farm near Merna, where he lived until his graduation from high school in 1964.
He continued his schooling at Chadron State College for one year and then went on to graduate from the Grand Island School of Business in 1967. It was at business school that he met Delores.
After his graduation he went to work for Peter Kiewit & sons in Indiana.
John was married to Delores Ribeiro of Geneva on July 1, 1968. In 1969, John Jr. was born and then in 1971, Doug was born.
While working for Kiewit, John and his family lived in Indiana, Iowa and Florida. While in Florida John changed jobs and went to work for Dick Corporation, where he fell in love with truck driving. This company moved him and his family to Pennsylvania in 1977. In 1978, the family returned to Florida and in 1979 they resided in Georgia, and returned once more to Florida in 1980.
In July of 1980, John and his family moved to Geneva. John worked for several trucking firms and finally settled with TFS out of Grand island. In 1986, Tony was born.
John did a little pig farming on the side, which became full-time for about a year and a half. He then went to work for Horizontal Boring and Tunneling out of Exeter. John was a hard worker, and a loving and caring husband and father. He never met a stranger. He was very outgoing and friendly. He had a sting of trucker friends from here to California. Say his name on the C.B. and somebody out there always knew him.
His main interest was his family and his work. He believed in God, but did not attend church. He tried to be friendly and helpful. He loved football and basketball, country western music and dancing as he grew up. He enjoyed going to small town dances while his father played in the band. He will be greatly missed.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Mary Godown both of Merna.
He is survived by his wife, Delores; three sons, John Jr., Doug and Tony, all of Geneva; daughter-in-law Jessica of Geneva; brother, Leonard of Bellevue; three sisters, Yvonne Greene of Austin, Texas, Eileen Samway of Brady, and Ann Heffelfinger of Lincoln; aunts, uncles and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were conducted from the Famrer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva on Friday, Oct. 13, with Rev. Charles Leypoldt officiating.
A taped selection of "Amazing Grace" was played at the service.
Casket bearers were John Godown Jr., Doug Godown, Tom Hiatt, Duane Dahlstrom, Dennis Bennett and Levi Bennett.
Interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery with Farmer & Son Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials are directed to the family.
CARD OF THANKS
The family of John A. Godown wishes to sincerely thank everyone for all of their help and kindness during his illness and since his death. Thank you for the many acts of love and friendship. We are so appreciative of all the visits, flowers, cards, food, phone calls and prayers in his honor.
Delores and Tony Godown
John Godown, Jr.
& Doug and Jessica Godown