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Luke Caleb McCormick, 34 years, of Herman, passed away suddenly Sept. 20, 2018, in rural Herman. He died doing something he loved to do, practicing for a rope access course in Reno, Nev., alongside his beloved dog, Pal.

Luke was born May 27, 1984, to Michael and Doris (Liska) McCormick. He graduated from Tekamah-Herman in 2002. He went on to complete a utility line program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

Luke will be forever remembered by his family and friends for his loyalty and his gentle demeanor.

He is survived by his parents, Mike and Doris McCormick of Herman; siblings, Lee (Marcie) McCormick of Bennington, Loren (Melissa) McCormick of Verdigre, Tracy (Malibu) McCormick of Waverly; Leslie (Aaron) Whitney of Austin, Texas; Tyler McCormick (Morgan Fisher) of Herman; grandmother, Kathryn Sundell of Niobrara; nephews, Morgan, Ethan and Trevor; nieces, Ashlee, Skylr, Emilee and Mya; sister-in-law, Merri (Jon) Isom of Austin; extended family and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Tony McCormick of Reno; grandparents, Lonnie and Elsie McCormick of Verdigre; grandfather, Lawrence Liska of Niobrara.

A benefit will be held Oct. 13, 2018, 5 p.m. at the Herman Legion Hall in Herman.

A memorial service was held Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, 1 p.m. at the Herman Legion Hall, 705 Main Street, Herman. The family extends an invitation for you to join them for fellowship, immediately following the service, at the Herman Legion Hall. There is no visitation and a private burial will be held a later date at the Herman Cemetery. Memorials may be addressed to the family and a later designation. Pelan Funeral Services, Jim and Danielle Pelan, www.pelanfuneralservices.com.

#2 Printed in the Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Pilot Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

HERMAN MAN KILLED IN TREE CLIMBING ACCIDENT

--by Leanna Ellis, editor, Enterprise publishing

A rural Washington County man was killed while rope climbing in a tree south of Herman on Thursday afternoon.

Herman and Blair fire and rescue and Washington County sheriff’s deputies responded to a wooded area behind 19473 US Highway 75 at about 3:15 p.m.

Detective Sgt. Brian Beckman said Luke McCormick, 34, of Herman was practicing rope climbing in a tree when he became tangled in his ropes. He was found by family members, who reported to deputies that he hadn’t been seen for about two hours.

McCormick was suspended an estimated 30 to 50 feet in the air. Family members lowered him down to where fire and rescue personnel could free him. McCormick was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday in Douglas County, Beckman said.

According to his obituary, McCormick was practicing for a rope access course in Reno, Nev., at the time the accident occurred.

Gusty winds and an approaching rain storm were visible as investigators made their way around the scene.

A sign at the front of the property advertised McCormick Tree Service. The accident remains under investigation.

A benefit is planned for 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Herman Legion Hall.

#3 photo and caption by Joe Burns, Pilot-Tribune, printed in the September 25, 2018 Pilot-Tribune

A Herman ambulance remained on scene as Washington County sheriff’s deputies investigated an accident in a wooded area behind 19473 U.S. Highway 75 south of Herman. Luke McCormick, 34, was found dead after he became entangled in ropes while climbing a tree.

Find a Grave Memorial # 193318504

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library~~~