Gary E. Porter

Gary E. Porter, 72, of Elba, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, surrounded by his family, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 19, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba. Rev. Vince Parsons will celebrate the Mass. The family requests that everyone dress casually.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Elba.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. The rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Porter family to establish a music scholarship in Gary’s name.

Gary was born on May 17, 1952, in St. Paul the son of Derrel J. and Regene A. (Kuszak) Porter. The family lived in various communities while Gary was growing up, due to his father’s work in heavy construction. The family moved to Elba in 1967 and he graduated from Elba High School in 1970.

He was united in marriage to Judith Spilinek on Dec. 18, 1971, in Elba. Two children, Michelle and Jason were born to this union. The couple later divorced.

Gary worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction. He had worked for Cass Construction, State of Nebraska Department of Roads, Village of Elba and retired in the Fall of 2020 from Howard County Roads Department.

Gary’s greatest passion was music. He played with the Chelewski Brothers, Variety Boys and numerous other area bands.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elba and longtime member of the Elba Fire Department and EMT's.

Gary enjoyed hot rod classic cars and drag racing. He loved Cornhusker Football and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Obermeier and Damon Lauritsen of Dannebrog; son, Jason and Lisa Porter of St. Paul; 5 grandchildren, Abbie and Parker Sis of Axtell, Mackenzie Obermeier of Omaha, Luke Porter, Macy Porter and Broc Porter, all of St. Paul; one great-granddaughter, Collins Sis; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Carol Porter of LaVista; and sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Delton Myers of Papillion; nephews and niece, Nicholas Porter, Ryan Porter, Kacie and Kyle Lindeman, and Nate and Mariela Myers; and several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Porter.