Robert Finlay, 82, of rural Valley, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005, at Marquis Place in Elkhorn.

Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 28, in the Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont, with interment in Fremont’s Memorial Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Fremont Honor Guard of American Legion Post 20 and VFW Post 854.

Robert “Bob” Finlay was born March 12, 1923, in Omaha to Merlen and Irma (Randall) Finlay. He grew up on the farm in Douglas County, near Valley, and went to school in District 22, later graduating from Valley High School. After graduation, he farmed with his step-father.

On Feb. 2, 1943, he married Harriet Matson in Papillion.

Mr. Finlay served in the United States Marine Corps from 1945 until 1947, and saw duty in the Pacific area and Japan. After his military service, he began farming north of Fremont. In 1957, the Finlays moved to a farm northwest of Valley in Dodge County.

He was a member of Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont; VFW Post 8332 of Arlington; a 25 year member of Victory Masonic Lodge No. 310 A.F.&A.M. of Valley; the York Rite Masonic Bodies of Fremont; and Tangier Shrine Center of Omaha.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy and David Keating, Nina Magill, and Roberta “Bobbie” Finlay, all of Omaha, and Judith A. and Terry G. Vanshur of Fremont; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant son; a grandson; two brothers; and one sister.

Memorials are suggested to the Sinai Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Ludvigsen Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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