Greg, Mary, Mike
Gregory C. Schurer was born on July 19, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest son of Clarence "Bud" and Mary Schurer. In 1942 the family moved to a farm west of Charter Oak, Iowa. He attended school in Charter Oak until 1949 when they moved to Manning, and he continued his education in the Manning Public Schools.
After nearly a year of working in Chicago at the age of 17, he returned to Manning and enlisted in the U.S. Navy November 15, 1955, attending boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was then assigned duty aboard the USS Spangler (DE696) home ported in San Diego, California. While serving aboard the ship he temporarily attended Disbursing School at the Naval Training Center in San Diego and got to visit many ports in the Western Pacific and Far East including Hawaii, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Philippine Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, and dozens of South Pacific Islands.
In July of 1958 Greg was transferred to Barber's Point Naval Air Station on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, where he spent the last fourteen months of his active duty attached to Airborne Barrier Service Squadron II. He was released from active duty status on October 6, 1959, at Treasure Island, California, as a Disbursing Clerk 2nd Class (E-5).
Returning to Manning, he worked several jobs in that area before being employed by a construction company headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. He was united in marriage to Boneta Thomas on August 17, 1962, and they and their three children (Randy, Sandy and Greg A.) resided in Wood River, Nebraska, for many years. They also have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
At the end of 2002, after almost 42 years working for The Diamond Engineering Co., Greg retired as a vice-president of that company and started to do only part time work. He then married Shirley Jo Mitchell of Alliance, Nebraska, and this added two sons and five grandchildren to the family.
Greg is a member of Wood River Post 314 of the American Legion. He and Shirley are now in partial retirement in the beautiful Wildcat Hills of Western Nebraska.
Greg's brother, Michael and their father, Clarence also served in the military.
Charlie was born on July 19, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Clarence and Mary (Gregory) Schurer. He spent his formative years in Manning, Iowa, where he pursued his education. At the age of eighteen, Charlie enlisted in the United States Navy, dedicating a significant portion of his service aboard the USS Spangler, a destroyer escort ship. He proudly completed his military service and was honorably discharged on October 6, 1959.
Charlie embarked on his professional journey in April 1961, as a laborer in South Dakota with Diamond Engineering. Little did he know that this opportunity would pave the way for a remarkable 41-year career with the company, eventually leading him to Nebraska. He retired on December 31, 2002, as the Vice President of Communications.
Charlie was a devoted father to his children, Sandra, Randy, and Greg from his first marriage. He later married Shirley Mitchell. The couple settled in the scenic Wildcat Hills Estates south of Gering in 2001. A passionate nature enthusiast and animal lover, Charlie thrived in the Wildcat community, volunteering countless hours to various local projects.
He was a man of strong principles and was deeply patriotic. Charlie was a former member of the Wood River American Legion Post 314.
Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley Mitchell-Schurer; his children, Sandra (Lynn) Hanson, Randy Schurer, and Greg Schurer; his brother, Michael Schurer; and numerous cherished grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.