Christian Biography of Richard Vernon Wilbern

Richard Vernon Wilbern, the son of Vernon and Alice (McGuffie) Wilbern, was born on October 15, 1933 in Atkinson, Nebraska. He passed away on June 8, 2016 at the Brodstone Memorial Hospital at Superior, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 7 months, 24 days.

Richard attended Atkinson grades and high school. After graduating, Dick was inducted into the United States Army on October 22, 1954 and was honorably discharged on August 21, 1956 serving during the Korean War. During his Army duty in Europe, Dick played basketball and volleyball with the Armed forces team.

He was united in marriage to Barbara Collins on May 18, 1963 at the First United Methodist Church in Superior, Nebraska. This union was blessed with 2 daughters, Ann and Kim.

During Richard's lifetime he lived in Atkinson, Nebraska; Silver Cliff, Colorado; Omaha and retiring in Superior, Nebraska. He was a member of the Atkinson American Legion and the Country Club and the Masons. While living in Atkinson, Richard was a cattle rancher.

Richard loved all sports, including basketball, football, track, baseball, golf, and swimming. For nine years he was a lifeguard and swim instructor. He enjoyed collecting toy lead soldiers, antique ships and planes. He was great at drawing, and enjoyed carving wood planes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert Wilbern and his wife Jean and sister-in-law Cindy Collins.

Survivors include his wife Barbara of Superior, Nebraska; daughters Ann Long and husband Larry of Downs, Kansas and Kim Thomsen and husband Chris of Hoover, Alabama; four grandchildren: Maddie Thomsen, Jack Thomsen, Logan Thomsen and Caroline Long; brother-in-law Bill Collins of Danville, California and sister-in-law Mary Nelson and husband Duane of Superior, Nebraska; other relatives and a host of friends.

Memorial services were held on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 4:00 pm from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Nebraska with Pastor Dorothy Smith officiating.

Music was recordings of "Hello Again," by Neil Diamond, "Sunshine (Where's Heaven,)" by Meatloaf and "Somewhere over the Rainbow," by Judy Garland.

Honorary Pallbearers were Rol Everett, Ed Siebert, Joe Langan, Fred Dunn, Harold Ohde and Chuck Everett.

Graveside inurnment with Full Military Honors held on Saturday, June 11th at 1:30 PM in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Atkinson, Nebraska

Memorials are suggested to go to the Superior Volunteer Fire Department or the EMT's or the Atkinson American Legion.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.