Mary Jo “MJ” Berry
Mary Jo “MJ” Berry was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on December 12, 1947 to Lucille (Schmutte) and Travis Berry Sr. She shined her light on this world into the wee hours of November 15, 2020. When a serious auto accident almost took her life in 1979, doctors said she would not likely walk again. But reaching out to what she experienced as a Higher Power, MJ regained her ability to walk and began a long and active spiritual and political life in Lincoln, Nebraska. A lover of music and participatory democracy, she always supported Lincoln’s KZUM community radio station and served as a leader in the Nebraska Green Party, Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, and other peace, social justice, and environmental groups. When the internet emerged, MJ started her own “Mostly Good News” online service, collecting links to positive news stories from a wide range of sources and passing them along to a growing list of readers in more than 1,100 installments over 20 years. She earned the Peacemaker of the Year Award from the local Alternatives to the Military group. MJ advocated for medical marijuana to deal with the pain she lived with since 1979. She came to believe that our collective human consciousness can evolve to a greater harmony with nature, to world peace, and to a collective healing with social and economic justice for all. Always the optimist, she believed, as the poet Pablo Neruda wrote, “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” It is MJ’s wish that any memorial gifts be donated in her name to Lincoln’s KZUM radio station at kzum.org and/or to: Nebraska Green Party; P.O. Box 85442; Lincoln, NE 68501. A memorial service will be planned for in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic threat has passed. MJ will be interred next to her mother in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. For condolences, please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Alan Leigh Hill
Alan Hill, age 81, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away Monday morning, November 9, 2020 surrounded by his family at his home. Alan is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley (Grover); along with two sons; Scott (Amy) and Greg (Jennifer), and two grandchildren, Garrett and Isabella, and many loving relatives. Alan was born in Nebraska and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. He was a pilot and flying instructor in his early years taking his first solo flight May 19,1958 in a J3 Piper Cub. Later he worked at State Farm until retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed model train collecting and sharing them with his grandchildren. He was also an avid builder and flyer of RC airplanes and enjoyed flying them with his sons. Alan was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. A private family graveside service and burial for Alan will be held at a later date at Robb Cemetery near Lexington, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials sent to the family for future designation. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Frances Ellen Macke
Loving matriarch, Frances Ellen Macke (nee Boyle) age 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2020, at Waterford at College View in Lincoln. Frances was born on October 23, 1933, to John Michael Boyle and Beatrice Hoatson Boyle. Her beloved parents raised her and three siblings, Robert, Louise, and Catherine, on their farm in Paxton, Nebraska. Frances attended North Platte St. Patrick’s High School and graduated in 1951, the same year that she married her husband of 63 years, Douglas Macke. She and Doug had six sons, Michael (Lynda), Timothy (Lori), Patrick, Daniel, Mark (Andrea), and Matthew, and raised their boys in Alma, Nebraska. Her boys were her pride and joy. Frances was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She taught her family strength in faith, unconditional love, and enduring kindness. Her baked sweets and Christmas Eves were epic, and blue skies will ever remind them of her favorite color. Family rosary and mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, private burial at Calvary Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Gayla Jean Anderson
Gayla’s humor and passion for life was unrivaled. She enjoyed music, the arts and theater, participating in plays throughout her high school and college years. Her kindness and curiosity of the human nature led her to a career in the mental health field, where she excelled for over 45 years. After exploring life in several different parts of the US, Gayla came home to Lincoln in 1995, where she devoted her time to her work, her family, and her 16 great nieces and nephews. “Our life on earth is but a moment in God’s plan.” “I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when my life is done.” To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Kerry Lynn Ryan
Kerry “Toby” Ryan passed away in peace at her home in Raymond, NE on Sunday, November 8th, 2020. She was surrounded by her loving family and her dog Jake, who never left her side. Toby was born on July 15th, 1960, in Pawnee City, NE to Gayle and Pauline Eckman. Toby loved the holidays. Christmas was an important time of year that she made magical for others as it was another opportunity for her to celebrate family. Toby also loved pink flamingos and Harleys. She enjoyed riding motorcycles and adventuring with Mark and her friends. She was honest, a dedicated worker, loyal, and could give it to you straight but share a laugh the next moment. She welcomed any and everyone into her home. While everyone could attest to how tough she was, only those who experienced her tender and comforting side truly understood where that fire and strength came from. It was clear to see through the grit that she was so much more than just tough. Toby spent her last few days at her paradise in Raymond, which her and her partner, Mark Homes, built together. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jeffry Eckman. She is survived by her brothers Scott(Kim) Eckman, Stacy(Bev) Maughan, Mark(Candace) Eckman, Bob(Mari) Eckman, and sisters Linda Maughan-Hager, Lisa(Tony) Rughe, Irene Eckman, Daisymae(Mark) Eckman-Brayton, her children Nicholas(Tosca) Ryan, Jessica Ryan, Amanda(Paul) Schmid, Zach(Shanna) Homes, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who she adored. A special thank you to her other family, the Lincoln Police Department, where she built a 20 year career. Their efforts and show of support over the last several weeks warmed her heart, put a smile on her face, and provided us moments of beauty during such a difficult time. The degree to which Toby touched people’s lives is hard to put into words. She will be deeply missed by so many who could count on her and appreciated her. There is a hole in the world now that she’s not in it, but the unmeasurable impact she made will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers donations will go to Santa Cop (or if you insist on flowers, please buy them from Oak Creek Florist). Checks can be made out to Santa Cop; LPD, 575 S 10th ST. Lincoln, NE 68508. Attn: Brianna Walters. Add “Toby” to your memo line Please join us for a gravesite service at the Pawnee City cemetery at 10:30 am on Saturday November 14th, 2020. Due to covid-19, masks and social distancing is required. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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