Former Blair resident Edward E. Cushman, 81, died Saturday, June 7, 2008, at Kearney.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair.

Edward Earl Cushman was born Nov. 8, 1926, at Hooper to Thomas and Mamie (Stroh) Cushman. He was educated in Herman, Pleasantview and Blair Schools, and was inducted into the military in March 1943. He served overseas in both the Philippines and Korea. When he was discharged in 1945, he returned to Blair where he became a truck driver and heavy equipment operator.

On Jan. 22, 1955, he married Martha Mencke in Louisville.

In 1965, Mr. Cushman founded the Blair Disposal Service, which the family operated until 1974. In 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Cushman purchased a restaurant and lounge in Newport, which they operated until 1980, and in 1976 he was hired by the Rock County Road Department, where he retired from 2002.

Mr. Cushman was an avid outdoorsman and family man. He and his wife took pleasure in traveling and, most importantly, camping and fishing with family and friends. He was a proud serviceman and member of the American Legion. His family and friends were always of utmost importance to him.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Pam Cushman of Blair; daughters and son-in-law, Carol Luce of Pleasanton, and Shelley and Vern Hubers of Wausa; six grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Rex and Arlene Cushman of Arlington; sister, Cora Mew of Corona, Calif.; sister-in-law, Helen Cushman of Cooperstown, N. D., Norma Rapp of Burley, Idaho, Betty Carnes and Opal Warrick, both of Blair, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, in 1996; son-in-law, John Luce; sisters, LaNora Farmer, Leatha, Kahland; brothers, S. L. “Jay”, Roberts, Oris, Billie Lee, and Walton Dean, along with many sisters and brothers-in-law.

~There is an additional newspaper article on file published in the Omaha World Herald on June 9, 2008. It does not include any additional information.