John H. Twyford

 John H. Twyford, 89, of Walthill, NE died on Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE.  Funeral services for John will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Walthill, NE; Pastors Steve Breazier and Dean Ross will be officiating.  The visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Burial with Military Honors will be in the Evergreen Cemetery of Walthill.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.John was born in rural Walthill on May 27, 1927, to Troy and Emma (Jensen) Twyford.   He lived his whole life in rural Walthill except for time served as a medic in the Armed Forces from March, 1946 to July, 1947.  He married Della Elizabeth Fisher on August 2, 1953, at the home of Troy and Emma Twyford.  John and Della had three children, Ken, Emma Jean, and Rita, who gave them 12 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. John farmed west of Walthill, NE all his life.  First helping his dad until he bought his farm.  Here he would bring his bride and raise his family.  He loved farming, the smell of fresh turned dirt in the spring, and mowed hay.  He loved his family and sharing his knowledge and history through his “stories”.  He had a wonderful, dry sense of humor, that showed in all areas of his life.  He loved to read, play pool, bake bread for friends and neighbors, grow strawberries and roses, Norman Rockwell artwork, horses, and most importantly, spending time with his family.  He served many roles throughout his life: District 31 school board member, Sunday school teacher, Walthill Senior Center board member, Lester E. Stewart American Legion Post 89 member, and Walthill Evergreen Cemetery board member, but most of all he was the person the family could depend upon.  He loved sharing time with the little ones.  Nothing could brighten his day like little people coming to visit. He is survived by his son, Ken Twyford (Alice Cruse); daughters, Emma Jean Schultz (Warren) and Rita Dunn (John Grolmus); his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren,  John J. B. Twyford (Dorothy); Anita Rose (Wade), Danielle Scott (Joe) (Whitney, Jarhia, Kareesa, Layla), Dylan (Olivia); Lynn Schultz (Gary Bottger), Jennifer and Kristin; Ken Schultz, Athena (Hannah, Rayna), Dylan, Matthew, Alyssa, and Dayton; Becky Clinard (Roger), Michael and Jacob; Bonnie Schultz-Johnson (Jason Johnson), Tyson, Aiden, Kalliah, Emalee; Beth Offner (Drew), Skye, Devon, Caleb, Jay J., Harper; Missy Young (Alex), Braxtyn, Keagan, and Korbin; April Sundberg (Jeremy), Alec and Calleigh; Lee Dunn (Ashley Tyree), Emma, Ethan, Everly; Clinton Dunn (Shayna Suhr) Seirra, Clayton, Tayven, Mia, and Kinlee; Lewis (LJ) Dunn (Erika) Adreanna and Trent; Sister: Gladys Washburn; Sister-in-laws: Irene Schlotman, and Elaine Bedford (David); and Brother-in-law: Gene Cram (Sonya).  He was preceded in death by his wife, Della; his parents, Troy and Emma Twyford; sister, Shirley Kuhn; sisters-in-law, Lela Groff and Hattie Metz; brothers-in-law, Harold Kuhn, Ray Washburn, Don Fisher and Thomas Cram; son-in-law, Steve Dunn; and great-great grandson, Rayshawn.