(Veteran)

Jefferey F. Kephart, 44

Jefferey F. Kephart, 44, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at his home in Blair with his family by his side.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair. Interment will be in the Blair Cemetery.

Jefferey Frank Kephart was born Dec. 14, 1964, in Blair. He grew up in the Blair and Fort Calhoun areas. He joined the Army National Guard after high school and, upon returning home, married Tami Horn of Blair.

He enjoyed being around his family and friends; listening to and playing music; he was an avid fisherman, a mushroom hunter extraordinaire, and an ace pool player. His greatest times were spent with his three daughters.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Dale and Verna of Omaha; mother, Mary (Bolton) Shumake of Tekamah; daughters, Jennifer (Lee) and Jessica, both of Blair, and Justina of Herman; fiancée, Maria Volenec of Blair; sisters and brother-in-law, Penny and Gregg Lorenzzen of Tekamah, Bonnie Kephart of Omaha; brothers and sister-in-law, Justin and Steven, both of Omaha, Lesllie and Christina of Blair, and Curtis Wiese of Tekamah.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Melvin and Carrie Kephart, and Chris and Willie Bolton; stepfather, Bob Shumake; and an infant son, Ian.

Jeff Kephart, 44, lost cancer fight

Jeff Kaphart’s death has a lesson for everyone, his stepmother said.

The 44-year-old Blair, Neb., man died Friday after skin cancer spread to his heart and brain.

Kephart had delayed going to the doctor even though he had a suspicious-looking mole, said his stepmother, Verna Kephart.

“He’s thinking he’s young and invincible, with no inkling he could get cancer,” she said. “Don’t let these things go.”

Jeff Kephart worked construction until he was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma about two years ago, his stepmother said.

“That Christmas we were grateful to have him, never dreaming we’d have him the next Christmas, and this one, too,” she said.

Jeff loved spending time with his three daughters: Jennifer, Jessica and Justina. He liked to play guitar with his father, Dale, and two of his brothers. He also enjoyed fishing and shooting pool.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair.

Other survivors include his finance, Maria Volenec; mother, Mary Schumake; brothers, Justin Kephart, Les Kephart and Curtis Wiese; and sisters, Penny Lorenzen and Bonnie Kephart.

-----Karyn Spencer

Omaha World Herald 8 Feb 2009

KEPHART----Jefferey F., age 44, Blair. Jeff is survived by daughters, Jennifer, Jessica and Justina; finance, Maria Volenec; father, Dale Kephart and Vera; mother, Mary Shumake; brothers, Justin Kephart, Les Kephart, Curtis Wiese; sisters, Penny Lorenzen and Bonnie Kephart. Services 10:30 AM Tues. at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair. Burial in Blair Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 PM Mon. with family receiving friends from 6-8 PM CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME Blair, NE 402-426-2191

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~