Obituaries

June Helen (Roork) Sheppard, 80 of Callaway, passed away on Oct. 26, 2025, at Kearney Regional Hospital.

of Broken Bow, passed away on Oct. 19, 2025, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow.

of Callaway, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at the Callaway Good Life Center. He was born on Sept. 19, 1936, in Callaway, to Merril and Esther (Rarden) Woodward. He attended public school in Callaway and graduated from Callaway High School with the class of 1954. Cecil enlisted in the United States Army in 1957 where he proudly served his country until he was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1959. On Aug. 10, 1959, Cecil married Hazel Harvey. Four children were blessed to this union: Jeral, Joe, Janel and Jon. This marriage would later end. He would soon find love again and was united in marriage to Jean Hergenrader on July 7, 2001, bringing a blended family together with Krysti and Scott.

age 82 of Oconto, died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at the CHI Health/Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Milrae was born on Aug. 26, 1943, at Broken Bow, to Isaac and Ada (Martin) Mason. Milrae grew up in Oconto and graduated from Oconto High School in 1961. She was married to Darl “Butch” Dittmar later that year, on Oct. 15, 1961. The couple lived in North Platte for a few years before returning to Oconto. Milrae worked at the Callaway District Hospital as a nurse’s aide and was also an EMT for many years. She babysat the neighbors’ children while raising her own family. Milrae later worked for the Farmers’ Bank at Oconto for 24 years until her retirement. Milrae was a member of the Oconto United Methodist Church and was very active in the Oconto Community. She had many hobbies, including crocheting, quilting, knitting, making barn quilts, and baking. Just a few years ago, Milrae made quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She also made wedding cakes. Milrae loved to have a garden and do canning. She enjoyed making wonderful meals and hosting her entire family. There was always enough food to feed an army.

Wanda “Bonnie” Eggleston, age 94 of Oconto, passed away Aug. 6, 2025, at her home in Oconto. Wanda Marie Eggleston was born one mile east of Oconto, on March 3, 1931, to Clifford Alvin and Leota Lucille (Flint) Martin. She was the fifth of 10 children. At an early age she was nicknamed “Bonnie” by a family friend, and it has stayed with her all her life. She moved to the Sumner area in 1936. In 1937, Bonnie started school south of Sumner at Bacon Country School. In 1938, the family moved to a farm five miles northwest of Eddyville. Bonnie then attended school at Lomax District 65, where she graduated from the 8th grade in May of 1945. In the fall she enrolled in Oconto High School and graduated as Salutatorian in 1949. During high school she was a cheerleader for the “Tigers” for three years, and a class officer all four years. Bonnie always loved school. She had several favorite teachers, including Mrs. McDermott and Emmett Gannon. After graduation, Bonnie and her sister Beulah attended college in Kearney for the summer. After college, Bonnie taught south of Oconto at District 217 for two years.

Beloved husband, dad, grand-dad, brother and friend, Norman Lee Bonde, age 85, joined his Lord and Savior and reunited with his wife in his heavenly home peacefully on July 28, 2025, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Henry Bonde and Rachel (Spangler) Bonde gave birth to Norman on Aug. 27, 1939, at the hospital in Gothenburg.

of Callaway, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 22, 2025, at his home. Gary was born on Aug. 15, 1953, in Arnold, to Wylie and Joan (Pearson) Eastwood. He received his education from Callaway Public Schools, graduating from Callaway High School with the class of 1972.