Source: Gary Lee Etherton Obituary

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Gary Lee Etherton, 74, of Grand Island passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at the Grand Island VA Medical Center.

Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the United Congregational Church, 405 E. Bismark. The Rev. Lonnie Logan will officiate. Burial will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Navy and the Grand Island Veterans Honor Guard.

As per Gary's wishes, please come as you are; formal attire is not required.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at All Faiths Funeral Home.

Mr. Etherton was born in Grand Island Nov. 1, 1940, to James Claude and Goldie Gladys (Martin) Etherton.

He is survived by three sons and daughter-in-laws, Ross and Chas Etherton of Berlin, Germany, Rhett Etherton of Denver, Colo., and Rylee Etherton and Amanda Bockman of Brandon, Fla.; two stepsons, Ryan Richards and Aimee Rocheleau of Phoenix, Ariz., and Reid Richards and Brenda Thompson of Grand Island; stepdaughters, Pam and Bill Grossart of Grand Island and Julie and Dave Ogden of Wood River; his beloved grandchildren, Sophie, Elijah, Jayden and Aliya; and furry friend, No-No Kitty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wesley, Don and Darrell; and sisters, Beulah Thavenet and Shirley Shick.

A 1959 graduate of Grand Island Senior High, Gary served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963, during which he was stationed in San Diego, Calif., and Lakehurst, N.J. He also helped enforce the Cuban blockade aboard the USS Northampton in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. For his service, he received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Medal.

Gary was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service from 1967 to 1992, during which he served as secretary/treasurer, vice president and president of Branch 390, National Association of Letter Carriers AFL-CIO. After his retirement from the post office, he worked parttime for the St. Francis Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center and the YMCA.

He married Sally (Rose) Gydesen on May 24, 1995, and Carol (Mader) Richards on June 5, 1981.

Gary loved his God, church, children and grandchildren, postal service gang, aerobics group, his cat, No-No Kitty, and working with his fellow veterans. He loved to read, take care of his flowers, art, music and going to movies. He was a friend of Bill W. for 24 years; he loved the AA way of life and the 12 Steps.

Memorials are suggested to United Congregational Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Type: Public Announcement

Date: 1914-12-21

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Carol Jean Mader

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