George H. Bunnell, Sr.

George H. Bunnell, Sr.

May 7, 1922 - July 7, 2012

HOLDREGE, Nebraska -- Funeral services for George H. Bunnell, Sr. will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Oxford, Nebraska on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at 2 p.m. with Reverend Eldon E. Flabinger officiating. Interment will be in the Oxford Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Oxford American Legion Post No. 219 in conjunction with the U.S. Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

George H. Bunnell, Sr., 90 years of age, of Oxford, passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. George was born May 7, 1922, on the family farm south of Trenton in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, the second of six children born to C.E. and Mabel (Kittle) Bunnell. He received his education at the Nebraska State Agricultural High School at Curtis, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 1940. Following his education, George relocated to Dubois, Wyoming, where he was employed on the Miller Ranch and was introduced to the bee keeping profession.

On Sept. 11, 1942, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps and served his country during WW II until his honorable discharge on Feb. 13, 1946. He met the love of his life, Yvonne Rutler of New Jersey, through his Army buddy and her brother, George Rutler. They wrote letters and exchanged pictures for three years before finally meeting face to face in 1945. The couple married March 10, 1946 in Paterson, New Jersey. They lived in Michigan from 1946 until 1950, where George worked for Hubbard Apiaries as a bee keeper. In 1950, the growing family moved to Beverly, Nebraska, where George farmed until 1961. He then decided to engage in the bee keeping profession, moving his family to Oxford. George had a bee keeping business that operates to this day, which his son and grandsons now carry on.

George had great love for his family, and delighted in seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a cowboy at heart, and loved horses. He enjoyed leading a 4-H Horse Club in his younger years. He surprised his family by taking up dancing at the age of 70. Always a sports fan, especially loving Husker Football, he attended his first game in Lincoln at age 82. His other great passion was planting trees, even doing so this past spring with the help of his family. George was a person who gave help to his neighbors and his kindness and love were something that could always be counted on.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Ray Bunnell and Clarence Bunnell, Jr.; two sisters: Evelyn Ady and Wilma Hovey; and a great-grandson, Christian Sterling.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his wife, Yvonne Bunnell of Oxford; five children: Loretta Broeker of Holdrege, Dolores Bunnell of Holdrege, George H. Bunnell Jr. and his wife, Karen of Oxford, Bernie Quinn and her husband, Boots of Oxford; and Denise Hoyt and her husband, Jeff of Granbury, Texas; 12 grandchildren: Dale Broeker, Julia Cole, Nancy Sterling, Teresa Kleeb, Gina Dunse, Sally Bunnell, Reve' Fries, Brandon Quinn, Haley Booe, Chase Quinn, Jason Hoyt and Andrea Hoyt; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother, Billy Bunnell and his wife, Mercy of Culbertson, Nebraska; brother-in-law, George Rutler and his wife, Barbara of Rome, Georgia; two sisters-in-law: Rose Bunnell of Fountain, Colorado and Clothilbe Rutler of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, from 1 - 8 p.m. with the family greeting from 6 -- 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the United Methodist Church of Oxford or the Golden Generation Center in Oxford.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.