John Douglas Gaswick

John Douglas Gaswick, 89, of rural Hay Springs, passed away on May 16, 2024. John was born on the 4th of July 1934, to George G. and E. Doris (Butzine) Gaswick. He grew up on the family farm and ranch  northeast of Hay Springs with his younger siblings, George J., and 

Evelyn ("Evie"). He attended country school through the 8th grade 

and graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1952 with his brother, George. In high school, John was active in FFA, was an award winner of grain production at the State level, and a member of the award-winning livestock judging team at the National level. He continued his 

agricultural education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for two years, where he also played on the college baseball team. Shortly after meeting Marilyn Rice of Norfolk, "the prettiest girl on east campus", John asked her to be his date to a Pershing Rifles social. According to John, “they really hit it off” and were a couple ever since. John served 

in the United States Army as a combat engineer. He was also an 

accomplished sharpshooter and traveled throughout Europe. Upon his return from the service, John and Marilyn exchanged wedding vows on November 15, 1958. They made their home south of Hay Springs.  

The couple welcomed Douglas Gene in 1959; Dwight Glenn in 1961; Doyle Robert in 1964; Deborah Mae in 1965; Dallas Ann in 1971; and Darren Jon in 1975. John's days were full of farming and ranching with his brother, George, which they did for over 40 years together. They were proud of and known for their Black Angus cattle herd. He instilled his hard work ethic in his children and taught them various mechanical skills. John enjoyed his assortment of 90 old-model tractors, and lots of farming and haying equipment. He could fix most anything, and right up until his death, he could tell you anything you wanted to know about his tractors. In his later years, John also worked for the Alliance Post Office and retired after 20 years. He thoroughly enjoyed this job and the 

camaraderie he had with his coworkers. John was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, George and wife, Bonnie; his sister, Evelyn Jones; a niece, Rochelle (Jones) Batt; Marilyn’s parents, Robert and Mae A. Rice; Marilyn’s sister, Charlotte and husband, Leland Nelson; as well as numerous older relatives. John is survived by his wife of 65 years, 

Marilyn; children, Doug (Judy) of Imperial, NE; Dwight of Hay Springs, NE; Doyle (Erika) of Hay Springs, NE; Deb (Norm) Yoast of Craig, CO; Dallas (Brent) Mehling of Lincoln, NE; and Darren of Reno, NV. 

Survivors also include grandchildren, Nathan (Krystle) Gaswick and their children, Devan, Audra, and Emery of Imperial, NE; Nicki (Todd)  Boardman of Stillwater, OK; William, Jane, and George R. Gaswick of Hay Springs, NE; Lindsey (Mike) Possehl and their daughter, Zoey of Tiffin, IA; Colten Yoast of Steamboat Springs, CO; Charles and 

Theodore Mehling of Lincoln, NE. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, Jim Jones of Sidney, NE, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews

Visitation will be at the Hay Springs United Methodist Church on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at the Hay Springs United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with military honors, and burial will be in Norfolk, NE at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery on May 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Hay Springs United Methodist Church, the Hay Springs School-Community Foundation, or the donor's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron, NE.