Richard D. Gonka

Richard died Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island.

Richard Donald Gonka, the son of James and Valerie (Jarecki) Gonka, was born December 30, 1924 at Shelby, Nebraska. He was raised in Shelby and attended Kramer High School through the 9th grade. Richard served in the U.S. Army during WWII from March 1945 - July 1946. In 1944 Richard was united in marriage to Iona Eller in California. He worked various jobs and then was employed by George Ewert and Ernst Auto as a mechanic for 13 years. He then purchased My Place Bar in Duncan which he operated for many years. He then worked security for Lindsay Manufacturing for 8 years until retiring in 1986. Richard was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Holy Name, VFW of Silver Creek, the American Legion of Silver Creek and the Duncan Fire Department.

He is survived by:

Daughter: Carolyn (Bob) Ingold of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Lori (Martin) Carpenter of Alda, NE
Brother: Harry (Edna) Gonka of Riverton, WY
Brother: James Gonka of Beatrice, NE
Sister-in-law: Marge Gonka of Columbus, NE
Grandson: Dan Brewer of Omaha, NE
Granddaughter: Nicole Brewer of Columbus, NE
Granddaughter: April (Nick) Sutton of Kearney, NE
Grandson: Eric Carpenter of Alda, NE
Great-grandchildren: Traci Weverka, Devin Brewer, Dylan Brewer, Miranda Brewer, Alexus Sutton, Nick Sutton, Jr., Moses Sutton, Trenton Zollars, Derrik Zollars, Hollie Zollars

He was preceded in death by:

Wife: Iona (Eller) Gonka
Father: James Gonka
Mother: Valerie (Jarecki) Gonka
Daughter: Christy "Chris" Gonka
Brother: Donald Gonka
Brother: Robert Gonka
Grandson: Jason Carpenter