(Photo) (Veteran)

Leonard Loftis Jr., 86

Funeral services for Leonard Loftis Jr., 86, of Herman, will be held Saturday, June 6, at 2 p.m. at Country Bible Church in Blair. Interment will follow services in the Herman Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, June 6, beginning at 3 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home. Mr. Loftis died June 3, 2015, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.

Leonard Loftis Jr. was born on April 4, 1929, in Fort Calhoun to Leonard and Mary (Skinner) Loftis. At the age of 3 his family moved to the home place southwest of Herman. While growing up and working on the dairy farm, Leonard attended Herman school. When his older brother Tom was called away to the War, he stayed home to help his dad on the farm full time. After his brother returned home safely, Leonard attended and graduated from Agricultural School in Curtis, Nebraska. Leonard serviced in the National Guard from 1950 to 1953. On February 8, 1951, he was united in marriage to Janet Arnold at the Methodist Church in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. After the couple’s wedding they made their home in Washington County until settling on the family farm in 1970, where he milked and raised Holstein cattle, grew corn and alfalfa, and always had a large garden. Leonard and Janet remained on the farm until Oct. 2014, when the couple moved to Blair.

Leonard was a 4-H Club leader for over 25 years, served on the County School Board, was a Youth Fellowship Sponsor, and a Grange member in Herman. He enjoyed Square Dance Club for many years, along with ballroom dancing. When he finally gave up milking, he enjoyed spending more time with his family doing activities such as boating, fishing and camping at Summit Lake. Of course, at the center of these get-togethers, was his favorite hobby… eating good food with good people.

He is survived by his wife Janet of Herman; children: Linda (Tim) Tobin of Tekamah, Leroy (Andrea) Loftis of Blair, James (Tamera) Loftis of Arlington, and Joel (Ann) Loftis of Herman; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandchild; and sisters Ruth (Larry) Nelson of Arlington and Betty (Dale) Finch of Page, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Tom and Allen; sisters: Barbara and Mary Helen; and granddaughter Emily.

Omaha World Herald 4 June 2015

Loftis, Jr., Leonard Age 86 Herman, NE. Survived by wife Janet of Blair; children, Linda (Tim) Tobin of Tekamah, Leroy (Andrea) Loftis of Blair, James (Tamera) Loftis of Arlington, and Joel (Ann) Loftis of Herman; 14 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; sisters, Ruth (Larry) Nelson of Arlington and Betty (Dale) Finch of Page, AZ. FUNERAL 2pm Saturday, Country Bible Church in Blair. Burial in the Herman Cemetery. VISITATION Friday beginning at 3pm with family receiving friends from 6-8pm at the funeral home. CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME 444 S. 17th Blair, NE 402-426-2191 www.campbellaman.com

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