Ivyl Huffman
Ivyl Dean Huffman, 82, of Wilcox, Neb. passed away unexpectedly Friday, April 29, 2022 at CHI Health–Good Samaritan in Kearney.
Ivyl was born Oct. 24, 1939 in Custer County near Cumro, the younger of two children born to Francis A. and Ethel Rose (Shaw) Huffman.
He received his primary education from Ansley Public School and later attended and graduated from Ansley High School with the class of 1957. He pursued higher education at Kearney State College for two years.
Ivyl enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam Conflict. Ivyl was a decorated veteran with decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Bronze Star Medal with V Device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal. He also served as a Cannon and Missile Senior Sargent.
On Dec. 4, 1965, Ivyl was united in marriage
to JoAnn Smith at Sepulveda, Calif. while he was stationed there. The couple was stationed in Germany and were blessed with son, Edward. Later, they were blessed with a daughter, Sandra.
Following his honorable discharge, the couple made their home in Wilcox. Ivyl worked at Wilcox-Hildreth Public Schools in groundskeeping and maintenance, retiring in 2006 with 28 years of service.
He will be remembered for his care and dedication to the football field. He made a trip to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to learn their care of the field to his high standard.
Ivyl enjoyed fishing, building up his N-scale train set, baseball, football, volleyball, Nascar and watching old westerns and war movies.
Ivyl was preceded in death by: his parents; his sister-in-law Nancy Smith; and a brother-inlaw Don Glidewell.
Ivyl is survived by his wife JoAnn of Wilcox; two children Edward Huffman and wife Diane of Belton, Mo. and Sandra Huffman of Wilcox; sisters Illene Drake and her husband Rollie of Axtell; sisters-inlaw Karen Suzanne Glidewell of Grover Beach, Calif.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege with Reverend Jean Clayton officiating.
Interment with Military Honors provided the Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team will be at 2 p.m. at the Box Elder Cemetery near Cumro.
A private visitation will be held.
A memorial has been established in Ivyl’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www. nelsonbauerfh.com. The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox is in charge of the arrangements.