Joseph R. Galaway

A Funeral Service for Joseph will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fairmont Community Church in Fairmont, Nebraska with Pastor Monica Magoola presiding. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held following the Funeral Service at the McCool Junction Cemetery in McCool Junction, Nebraska. Military Honors will be conducted by the Fairmont American Legion - Lt. Forbes Post 21 and the Nebraska Army Honor Guard. Memorials are to be directed to the family to designated at a later date. Joseph Rex Galaway was born January 10, 1925, near McCool Junction, Nebraska to William and Grace (Smail) Galaway and passed away May 5, 2023. Joe was the youngest of seven children. He grew up on the family farm that his grandfather had homesteaded in 1869. He stayed on the family farm after his father’s death in 1947 and continued to farm. Joe joined the United States Army January 4, 1951. He was a Tech Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division and served in Korea, from August 6, 1951, to June 10, 1952, during the Korean War. He was discharged on October 4, 1952. After returning from the war, he resumed farming on the family farm. In the fall of 1953, Joe went to work for NKC Grain Company and served as the manager from 1959 to 1968. He then worked a couple years for Farmers Co-Op in Fairmont before going to work for Manning Grain at Burress in 1971. He worked for the Manning’s until his retirement in 1990. He had also continued to farm until 1976 on his farm north of Fairmont. Joe also worked in the community over the years by serving on the Fairmont city council; was a member of the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in that organization; served as Scoutmaster; was a member of the Fairmont Community Church for over 60 years; was a volunteer for the Fairmont Recycling Association and was proud to be a member of the Fairmont American Legion for over 70 years. Joe was blessed with an abundance of family. He married in 1960 and became an instant father to Connie, Peggy, and Mike Weis. Joe was also blessed with two daughters Susan and Nancy from this marriage. In September 1992, Joe married Nancy Stricklett Berggren and from this marriage gained Nancy’s two children, Shelly, and Ken. His family continued to grow over the years, adding eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren that Joe adored. He was lovingly known as Dad, Grandpa Joe, and “Gramps”. His kind heart and easy-going smile was a true blessing to every member of his beautiful, blended family. Joe loved the outdoors and watched each new season of the year bring its own splendor to the land. Joe enjoyed working in the garden and taking care of the fruit trees and other plants on his acreage. He loved sharing the abundance of fruits and vegetables with neighbors, friends, and family. He sold his home and acreage where he had lived for 47 years. He and Nancy moved “into town” in December of 2007. His large garden and sweet corn patch that he had on the acreage was in the past, but he couldn’t give up watching things grow and he still planted a few tomatoes and flowers. A lot of Joe’s time was spent taking care of and playing with his beloved dog, Dolly. He enjoyed sitting on the front porch watching the neighbor children play and soaking in all of nature’s beauty. He enjoyed morning coffee at Caseys with his friends and was still driving down to work out at the wellness center at the age of 95. Joe and Nancy were married for 27 years and were known as an inseparable couple, because they were always out and doing things together. Nancy lost her battle with cancer in 2020, leaving Joe a widow for the last three years of his life. Joe is survived by two daughters, Susan Schulz of York and Nancy Galaway of Lincoln; stepdaughter, Connie Landrus of Lincoln; stepdaughter Shelly (Dave) Cassidy of Fairmont; stepson Ken Berggren of Unityville, PA; eight grandchildren, Sara (Jake) Schall, Josh Schulz, Shaina Schulz, and JJ Schulz all of York, Jordan (Miranda Scdoris) Galaway, and Joni (Rachelle) Cassidy of Norfolk, Abbie (Clayton) Dishong of Shickley and Jenna (David) Tuberville of Fairmont; nine great-grandchildren, Jerrick Roberts, Kyson and Kemper Schall, Knox and Zoey Cassidy, Kaylee Dishong, Arlo and Millie Tuberville and Michael Joseph Galaway. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nancy; four brothers, Bill, Clyde, Bob, and Russ; two sisters, Agnes and Nellie Douglas; and stepchildren, Peggy Weis and Mike Weis.

Tributes

Joseph R. Galaway

January 10, 1925 - May 5, 2023