Obituaries

Michael “Mike” Phares, age 81 of Nebraska City died May 30, 2022 at Prestige Care in Nebraska City. Mike was born April 9, 1941 in Ames, IA, the son of Floyd and Jacqueline (Shockley) Phares. He married Marilyn Graham February 14, 1974 in Phoenix, AZ. He owned and operated Auto-Tech Company which designed special machines for manufacturing. Mike lived in several states before settling in Nebraska City two years ago. He loved traveling and was an accomplished artist using oils, pen, and photography. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; son, Jon (Annette); daughters, Terri (Mike) and Amy (Mick); grandchildren, Ciara and Dillon; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather and son, Scott.

William L. “Bill” Runkles, age 74 of Nebraska City passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

James Arthur Petring was born in Nebraska City, NE to Alfred and Marian Petring on August 3, 1928. He married Patricia Miles October 21, 1950 who survives him. Jim served in a US Armyartillery unit and was in charge of the medical division for the brigade. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant and continued to serve in the reserves for an additional 5 years. Jim received his Bachelors of Science degree from LSU and completed a masters degree in educational psychology at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He taught chemistry, physics and biology at York High School (NE) until he was recruited by Santa Ana High School (CA) and moved his family of five to California in 1961. He continued to teach the sciences for eight years before moving into student counseling. He retired after 34 years with Santa Ana High School.

Marshall Carl Petring was born April 24, 1930 in Nebraska City, NE to Alfred and Marian Mote Petring. He was one of five brothers, with Jack surviving. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. As an aerial photographer in the Navy, he photographed naval gunnery practice off the coast of Cuba and Puerto Rico for vessels that included four large battleships the USS Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and the New Jersey.

Patricia Ann (Simpson) Ramold was born on February 4, 1939 in Auburn, Nebraska to Albert and Helen Maxine (Howell) Simpson as the oldest of five siblings. She loved to share stories of her childhood years on the family farm.

Shirley Kirkendall, 77, passed away May 11, 2022 at home in Grand Island. Shirley was born January 14, 1945 in Omaha to Gale and Bernice (Hudson) Jackson. She received her education in the Lincoln Public School System and served as a medical secretary before meeting her husband, Gerald. They were married July 1, 1976. The couple made their life in Lincoln until moving to a farm in Dunbar. After moving from the farm to Nebraska City, they migrated out to Grand Island where they remained until her death. Shirley loved people and loved to serve those around her. Her home was always abuzz with family, as well as friends who’d become family. She had a passion for crafts and decorating and saw beauty in everything. She selflessly shared that beauty with everyone. Shirley is survived by her husband, Gerald of Grand Island; daughters, Angela (Workman) and Dan Waddle, of Lincoln, Wendy Workman, of Capitola Beach, CA, and Annalee Adams of Grand Island; sons, Scott Workman, of Branson, MO, Daniel and Toni Kirkendall of Buckeye, AZ, Michael Kirkendall, of Nebraska City, and Jeremy and Amber Kirkendall of Beatrice; 24 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy and Richard Siever. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Donna Leach.

William “Bill” H. Werner, 68 of Syracuse, passed away at home on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. He was born on May 26, 1953, to Harold & Phyllis (Petersen) Werner in Syracuse. Bill attended Dist. 38 country school and graduated from Syracuse high school. After graduation he attended Milford Community College and worked for Gartner Construction. He later worked for many years on the receiving docks at Dillards. Bill was always willing to lend a helping hand. He