Obituaries

Rev. James J. Janovec, 88, of Grand Island, NE died Monday, April 27, 2026, at CHI Health – St. Francis in Grand Island, NE. Fr. James was born March 26, 1938 in Chapman, NE the son of Francis and Loretta (Evers) Janovec. He was Baptized and Confirmed at St. Libory Catholic Church in St. Libory, NE. The family farmed north of Chapman until his parents tragically died in an automobile accident in 1951. James then lived with his grandmother in Merrick County. He attended District 29 in Merrick County, NE graduating from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Grand Island in 1956.

Lyle Harvey McMindes, 93, of Grand Island, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Memorial service and a celebration of Lyle’s life will be held at All Faiths Funeral Home in the near future.

Letitia Angeline Naprstek, 78, of Ord, Nebraska, formerly of Valentine, passed away on April 25, 2026, at Quality Senior Villages in Broken Bow, surrounded by her family. She entered the world in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 9, 1947, as eldest child to James and Dorothy (Koca) Bunker.

Patricia Ann Young, 76, of Lincoln, passed away on April 14, 2026. Services will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Edward “Mike” Arnold, born March 4, 1949, in Valentine, NE, passed away March 25, 2026 in Omaha, NE. Mike was pre‑ceded in death by his par‑ents, Ed‑ward and Patricia Arnold; siblings, Mary Kay Lessert, Tom, Pa‑tricia Arnold, Eileen Angell, Peggy Hall, and Duffy; and eldest grand‑son, Wyatt Arnold.

Growing up in Valentine, Rich‑ard thrived in 4‑H, earning several awards as a youth. He graduated from Valentine High School in 1988. Whether he was camping, fishing, four‑wheeling, hunting, or shooting, Richard felt most at home under an open sky. He was happiest when surrounded by na‑ture and the people he loved.

Scott Eugene McClellen was born on January 13, 1958, in North Platte, NE to Donald and Yvonne (Larson) McClellen. He grew up in Maxwell, NE and attended school there, graduating from Maxwell High School in 1976.

NORFOLK – Funeral service for Richard D. “Rich” Alder, 56, of Norfolk, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2026 at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk.

Francis Marion (Bud) Reece, Jr., 86, of rural Valentine, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 12, 2026, at his home at the Bar Eleven Ranch. Services will be held Friday, April 3, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Valentine Methodist Church. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family will bestow memorials to macular degeneration research.

Thomas Michael “Bunny” Hogan, 67, was born in Valentine, NE on Easter Day, April 6, 1958 the son of Thomas Ira and Marilyn Ruth (Cournoyer) Hogan. He passed away after a sudden heart attack on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY.