Christian Biography of John Wharton

John Edwin Wharton, the son of Edwin and Neva (Fullerton) Wharton, was born on December 17, 1947 in Superior, Nebraska. He passed away on November 1, 2026 at his home in Superior, Nebraska at the age of 78 years, 10 months, 15 days.

John attended school in Superior and was a graduate of Superior High School. He attended TCU in Fort Worth, Texas for a time. He served in the Army National Guard from 1966 to 1973. On October 20, 1973 he married Connie Knight and they lived in Cleburne, Texas and had 2 children, John Jr. and Heather. They divorced after 24 years of marriage.

During his lifetime, John lived in the communities of Cleburne, TX., Kilgore, NE., St. Joseph, LA., Mandan, ND., Caledonia, IL., Valentine, NE., Ocala, Fl., Pilot Point, TX., Cody, NE., and Superior, NE. John was a true cowboy, he loved a good horse, his Aussie dogs and the great outdoors. He was an excellent ranch hand and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, ranching and anything to do with cattle and horses. He loved to visit with any and everybody and made wonderful friends along the way especially the Native American People. He appreciated a good gun. “He wanted to live and die on the ranch like his old friend Don Marshall, who rode until he was 80.”

He was a member of AQHA, NeQHA, North Dakota QHA and the American Legion Club St. Mihel Post 103 formerly serving as past post commander. He worked at MARC, the Meat Animal Research Center for many years then went on to work as a ranch hand for several years following before retiring. He returned to Superior in 2013 and went back to work at MARC and finally retired in 2025. John believed in a hard work ethic and responsibility. He encouraged and mentored many of his younger coworkers and youth that he encountered throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Neva and his sister Marie Mikkelsen.

Survivors include his special friend Angel Elledge, son John Jr. (Jeani) Wharton, of Hastings; and Heather (Donnie Hegemann) Wharton of Edgar, daughter-in-law Nicki Martinez; 7 grandchildren: Sydney (Brandon Blackburn) Wharton, Aaren (Dakota) Meyer, Baylee (Broden Zeckser) Wharton, Tyler Hartgrave, Kyler Hegemann, Michael Wharton, and Kade Hegemann; 2 great grandchildren Bentley and Lily Meyer; siblings Max (Linda) Wharton, Monte (Dan) Imler and brother-in-law Gale Mikkelsen; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services at: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior, Nebraska

Time of Service: Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Clergy: Stan Copeland

Burial with Military Honors: Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, Nebraska

Memorials to: Grace Cancer Foundation, 2319 N. Webb Road, Grand Island, NE 68803

Visitation: From 4:00 pm-8:00 pm on Friday with family present from 6-8 at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home

Funeral Home: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900