Body identified as missing Cambridge man

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Skeletal remains found on Medicine Creek a half-mile north of Cambridge on June 1 have been identified by dental records as 41-year-old Tivis Ferrell.

Furnas County Sheriff Kurt Kapperman reported Sunday that autopsy results have confirmed the identity of the man, an apparent victim of suicide.

Kapperman said that Ferrel had been missing for about 18 months; his wife reported him missing approximately 10 days after he left the residence and did not return.

The sheriff said that it has been determined that there was no form of foul play in Mr. Ferrell's death.

Sheriff's officers responded to a 911 call after three teenagers tubing down Medicine Creek came upon the body.

Tivis "Shay" Ferrell was involved in the restoration of the "JESUS SAVES" sign on a hillside west of Cambridge on Highway 6&34 in May 2012.

Ferrell, Luke Warburton and Chad Herbert reinforced the billboard-sized sign, repoured the ledge on which the letters rest, applied new stucco and repainted the sign built 50-some years ago by devout Christian Ira Hecox.