Nelly Ann Cruz passed away on Christmas Day 2020. She was the significant other of Henry Martinez (member #300) for over 11 years. She was born November 21, 1965 in El Paso, Texas to Rudolfo (Rudy) & Maria Cruz. She is survived by her sister Sofia Howerton from New Mexcio, her companion of 11 years Henry Martinez, and her three kids Moses, Samson, and Paloma, all Chihuahuas. Her kids were her life.

Nelly was a head cheerleader at Marycrest High School here in Denver. She had an associate degree from Parks Business College and received a diploma as an Esthetican. She was a part owner of family owned Lupitas Mexican Restaurant for ten years, was a director for John Powers Modeling Agency for three years, worked for Medical Ops Management for two years. She also worked at Saks Fifth Avenue and later started her own cosmetic line called “Nelli Cosmetics”. She even had a store front in the exclusive Cherry Creek area in Denver. Nelly was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2020 and was doing chemo treatments and radiation treatments for all of 2020. Nelly is going to be greatly missed by many, many people but none more than Henry. She was a very special lady.

Robert (Bob) Bonnett (member #50) of Milan, Illinois passed away on October 18, 2020, at the age of 94.

Obituary: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/il/milan/robert-bonnett-11613410

He was predeceased by his parents, Lewis Bonnett and Violette Shoemaker Bonnett; his former wife Elaine Marie Fitzpatrick; his daughter Robin Ciccotelli; his siblings, June and Richard “Dick”; and his great grandchild Chelsey Weldon.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Bonnett; his step-son John Faramelli of Clearwater, Fla.; his grandchildren, Allison, Kimberly, Velvet, Beth, Melissa, Jaime, Anthony and John; his step-grandson Ashton; and his son-in-law Gino Ciccotelli. He is also survived by friends, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sally M. Cleaver, 84, of Pekin, Ill. passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

Sally was Born July 31, 1936 in Grand Marais, Michigan to John Richard and Anna Elizabeth (Thompson) Masse, she married the love of her life Carl Cleaver on December 20, 1973. Sally is survived by her husband Carl.

She is also survived are two daughters, Annette Cornwell and Tara Mlecko; two sons, William D. Cornwell and Scott (Maryann) Cleaver; ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gene R. Cornwell; two brothers, Bruce Masse and James Masse, and one sister, Joyce (Masse) Bezotte.

Sally loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling with her husband every year to the Nomad Convention. They would also take vacations to Michigan to her home town of Grand Marais and to their cabin in Minnesota. In her free time she would craft and work on ceramics, and was a great cook and baker for her family and friends.

Send condolences to Carl Cleaver, 1225 Howard Ct. Pekin, IL 61554-4639.

Janice “Jan” Rae Duncan, 71, of Cairo passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2020 due to injuries as a result of an automobile accident.

Jan was born March 3, 1949, in Kearney, the daughter of Albert and Phyllis (Coulter) Hervert. She grew up on the family farm near Ravenna, graduating from Ravenna High School, Class of 1967. She then graduated from Grand Island School of Business. On February 15, 1969, following a huge blizzard that made many roads impassable, she was united in marriage to Ronald “Ron” L. Duncan. They made their home in Grand Island before moving to their acreage between Grand Island and Cairo, where they lived for 47 years.

Following graduation, she worked at Gamble Robinson for a few years before starting her own business “Duncan’s Upholstery”. In addition to running her own business, she was also a part-time instructor at Central Community College teaching upholstery for well over ten years. Jan was employed part-time as a crew leader for the United States Census. She worked the 1990, 2000, 2010, and current Census… and was making plans for 2030.

Vintage and classic cars were a major part of Jan’s life. She loved NHRA drag racing and supported Ron during his racing career when he ran Malfunction and Hellfire. She was a member of the National Nomad Club and helped establish the current Chevrolet Nomad Association, for a combined total of over 50 years affiliation with both clubs. She was a member of Vintage and Classic Wheels, as well as the Island Area Cruisers. Jan was also a 30+ year member of the Hall County Extension Club. While raising her children, Jan supported the Boys Scouts of America and 4-H. The connections she made through these affiliations afforded countless lifelong friendships.

Jan enjoyed antiquing and garage sales, always looking for “a good deal’. Her extensive collections include M&M’s, Root Beer Mugs, Campbells Soup, California Raisins, Kool-Aid, Coca-Cola, Planters Peanuts, and Hot Wheels. Jan loved playing radio call-in contests and was well known by the local DJs for her knack of winning and her famous party mix at Christmastime. But, above all Jan’s beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy, never missing a school play, speech debate, or game.

Those who will cherish Jan’s memory include her husband, Ron; and her children, Shawn (Megan) Duncan of Fort Lupton, CO and Lisa (Dustin) Duncan Butler of Alda, NE; five grandchildren, Kristian (Zach) Morgan, Dusty Rose Butler, Madison Duncan, Brock Butler, and Caden Butler; and two great-grandchildren, Amelia and Ariah Duncan. She is also survived by brothers, Mike Hervert of Rockville, NE and Don (Pamela) Hervert of Ravenna; sister, Jean (Don) Blaschko of Gibbon; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Carol McCarthy and brothers, Jerry Hervert and Brent Hervert.

Debra Ann Black passed away on July 6, 2020. She was born on October 05, 1962 to Dr. Gary (member #1303) and Astrid Black. Debbie, has one living daughter, Kaeleigh Rose Butler, Baton Rouge, LA., one sibling-sister Laurie S. Gaspard, one niece, 3 and 1/2 Great nieces, 3 nephews, with two of the nephews-Daniel and Joshua in the military.

One special departed uncle, Nathan L. Roff, living uncles- Dr. Roger Roff-Dillon, S.C., Dr. Norman Melchert, Virginia, four aunts-Novelen Melchert, Trudy and Sandy Roff, and Cindy Roff, cousins who live in Texas, New Zealand, Virginia, and South Carolina. Debbie had gone thru Chiropractic College and worked with her father, Dr. Black until retirement in 2016.

At the age of two, Debbie moved with her parents to Davenport, Iowa, where her father Gary Black went to Palmer College of Chiropractic. After graduation, the family moved to Louisville, Ky where her father was practicing with other doctors, then moved to Dillon, S.C., Greenwood, MS, Memphis, Tn., finally to Baton Rouge, LA. In 1972. She had wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, and proceeded to get the requirements out of the way by attending LSU, Southeastern in Hammond, LA, Donnely College in Kansas City, KS., then on to Parker Chiropractic College in Fort Worth, Texas. Debbie, then proceeded to Marrietta, GA. where she attended Life Chiropractic College.

Having just 8 months left of Chiropractic education for a degree, their daughter, Kaeleigh Rose, was born to her parents, Debbie and Rick Butler. Shortly thereafter, Debbie was in a car accident resulting in the health issues she acquired and lived with from the auto accident of 1998.

As the head of the Parker College of Chiropractic always reminded us,” you have to have Guts, Grit and Gall to succeed in today’s world”. Debs had this!

She lived lacking 2 months, 22 years with illnesses that would have devastated most folks, still, she managed her Dad’s practice till the end of April 2016.

Deanne Elizabeth Ramsey lost her valiant battle with cancer on June 9, 2020, at home with loving family.

She began life on September 8, 1945, as the tow headed fifth child of Cora and Ben Benson. She grew up on the family dairy farm where she sometimes had to pitch in with the many chores that farming required. She had the advantage of growing up amongst a multi-generational family with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins on both sides.

She attended school in Burlington, where she met the love of her life, Richard Ramsey. They married and went off to Minnesota, where Dick attended a school for refrigeration maintenance. In 1963, a daughter Marilyn was born and in 1972 Chad arrived to round out the family.

Returning from Minnesota, they both worked in the Seattle area until returning to Skagit Valley. Deanne took a job at Washington Federal Bank in Mount Vernon in 1969, and worked up the ranks to loan and arranger and then assistant manager before retiring in 1999.

For 47 years, the family had home on the shores of Lake Whatcom where they could enjoy their hobbies of boating and entertaining family and friends. Everyone loved to go there on a hot summer day to feast and swim and water ski.

Deanne was a warm and affectionate person with an infectious laugh. If you were not her friend, it was because she did not know you yet.

Deanne is survived by her husband, Richard Ramsey; Son, Chad (LaDawn) Ramsey; her two most beloved grandsons, Corbin and Dustin Ramsey; son-in-law Michael Houser; brother-in-law, Gary (Penny) Ramsey who helped these last few months; sister, Laura Matthews; brother, Bill Benson; and so many nieces, nephews and cousins who will all miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Arnold and Dick Benson, and her daughter, Marilyn.

Please send your condolences and share memories of Deanne to Dick Ramsey, 5884 Cedar Drive, Bow WA 98232.

Robert (Bob) H. Miller (member #24) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 of natural causes from long term medical conditions. In his last hours, he was surrounded by his loving family.

Bob graduated from Benson High in 1959. Marlene and Bob were married for over 57 years. They bought their first 57 nomad together 57 years ago.

Bob lived in Boring, Oregon for 33 years and then moved up to Brightwood, Oregon for the past 15 years. He worked at Cascade Corporation for over 39 years. Prior to that he worked at Bazaar’s for 10 years, Quaker State for 2 years and Barker Manufacturing for 5 years. 

He helped start up the NW Nomad Club in 1969 and was president of the club ever since. He was a member of the Road Knights club since 1963 and was president of that club for several years. He also helped start up the Pacific NW Convertible Club in 1980.

He was a board member for the Chevrolet Nomad Association for 18 years. He was definitely a car fanatic and loved his cars, car shows and car clubs. He was heavily involved in the Canby Swap Meet for over 40 years and with the MHRC and the Portland Roadster Show for 57 years. He helped with many car shows and events over the years.

Family:

Marlene Miller, spouse
Jerry Miller, son
Jillene Junker, daughter and James Junker, son-in-law
JoLynne Grove, daughter and Mark Grove, son-in-law
Brenda Moyer, sister and Will Moyer, brother-in-law
Grandchildren: Brent, Ashley and Alexander Junker, Hannah Wampler, Jessika Jones and Hunter Grove, Jacob Grove, passed away in Aug 1997
Great Grandchildren: Lauren, Natalie and Ryan Wampler, Carter and Avery Jones and Colden Bajema

Rodney Howard Brockman, age 77, of Elwood, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, February 8, 2020 in the emergency room at Silver Cross Hospital.

He was born March 3, 1942 in Joliet, to Howard and Patricia (McCory) Brockman, and was a graduate of Joliet Township Central High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army and the Army Reserve. Rodney retired from Caterpillar, Inc., Joliet, after 30 years of service.

Rodney loved old cars, especially 1956 Chevys, and was the owner of several classic cars. He was a fixture at the Route 66 Raceway, and in his younger years enjoyed racing. He was the Founder and Past President of the Tri-Chevy Association and was instrumental in organizing many car shows and swap meets throughout the area. He will be remembered for his willingness to help anyone who needed him.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 52 years, Dale Ann (nee Kaluzny) Brockman of Elwood; his son, Keith (Libby) Brockman of Elwood; two grandsons, Ryan and Owen Brockman; one sister, Pam (Randy) Smith of Joliet; one brother, Steve (the late Debbie) Brockman of Shorewood; a sister-in-law, Barb Brockman of Wilmington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, April Brockman, in infancy: his parents; and one brother, Richard Brockman.

LaMonte Albin “Monte” Hollertz, 87 years of age, of rural Elm Creek, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Monte was born November 1, 1932, on the family farm in northern Harlan County, northwest of Ragan, Nebraska, the youngest of four children to Albin Melker and Blanche Edith (Hedlund) Hollertz. Monte grew up on the family farm northwest of Ragan. He received his education from Ragan Public School, graduating from Ragan High School with the class of 1950. Following his education, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Harman in 1953, and to this union five children were born: Allan LaMonte, Susan Jean, Karen Lee, Kevin Monte, and Robin Lane.

Monte served his country in the United States Army from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1956. He was stationed at Camp Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After his discharge, he returned home to Harlan County and engaged in farming with his father northwest of Ragan.

In 1969, Monte was united in marriage to Rose Ann (Corbin) Smith, and they made their home on the Hollertz farm. Monte was blessed with Rose Ann’s two sons with this marriage: Tommy and Jeffrey. The couple blended their two families together as they focused their efforts raising their five sons and two daughters. Monte was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Ann in 1979.

Monte continued to farm full-time, and his hobby of restoring classic cars led him down a path to becoming a classic car curator. Monte started collecting Chevy’s in the 1960’s, and especially loved all the sport models. There were no two-doors or sedans in his early collection. He enjoyed traveling throughout the Mid-West on his journey for Chevy’s, venturing to other states as far as Oregon, and closer to home into Kansas. Monte enjoyed restoring his classics with his sons, and eventually found an old skating rink in Minden, Nebraska to house them.

The original version of Chevyland was in Minden for a few years, before he decided the traffic wasn’t what he expected. Monte did what any industrial farmer would do, and found a piece of land to grow his vision.

During this time, Monte continued to farm on a full-time basis, and worked nonstop to get Chevyland USA on the north side of Interstate 80 near Elm Creek off the ground. After the passing of his wife, Rose Ann, he took over as the head curator. On November 1, 1980, he was united in marriage to Joann “Jo” White of Grand Island, Nebraska. At this time, Monte turned the farming operation over to his eldest son, Allan, and he and Jo began to reside at Chevyland as full-time curators, and built a home onto the museum. Throughout the years, Chevyland long surpassed being Chevy-exclusive. He and Jo enjoyed many years welcoming visitors! At the height of Chevyland’s popularity, the couple clocked about 100 visitors a day to the museum. As things slowed down in later years, they enjoyed spoiling their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At one time Chevyland was one of the largest private Chevy collections in the world.

Throughout the years, Monte also enjoyed stock cars, snowmobiling, was an avid motorcycle rider, who loved his Gold Wing He loved to travel, family vacations were fond memories, and later he and Jo also loved to travel, and a favorite trip was to Canada for 32 days.

Besides his parents, and wife, Rose Ann; Monte was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Lana Hollertz; two sisters: Leone Heldenbrand and her husband, Bill; and Gloria Bryan and her husband, Ward; and brother-in-law, Rodney Swanson.

Monte leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Jo Hollertz, of rural Elm Creek; his sons: Al Hollertz of rural Holdrege; Kevin Hollertz of Huntley, Nebraska; Rob Hollertz and his special friend, Cindy McNiel of Kearney; Tom Smith and his wife, Dedra of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Jeff Smith of Holdrege; two daughters: Sue (Hollertz) Robinson and her husband, Jim Robinson of Bloomington, Nebraska; and Karen Buettner of rural Holdrege; four step-children: Deb Kozak and her husband, Dave of Grand Island; Rick White and his wife, Dianna of Raymond, Nebraska; Jeff White of Hastings, Nebraska; and Jim White of Kearney; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; sister, Rose Ann Swanson of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.