Vern Eastman

Vern Eastman, age 93, of Giltner, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Westfield Quality Care in Aurora with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3rd at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Giltner. Rev. Mark Seiker will officiate. Interment will be in the Giltner Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Monday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. The Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Giltner. The rosary and funeral service will be livestreamed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vern Eastman Estate to be designated at a later date. The service will be livestreamed to the Giltner Community Center for overflow. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
The rosary and funeral service will be livestreamed through Zoom Meeting ID 629-734-5912, Passcode East2024.
Elmer Vern Eastman was born to Joseph Elmer and Mabel (West) Eastman on March 22, 1931 at Doniphan, Neb. Vern served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from February 1952-54.  On Jan. 15, 1955 he was united in marriage to Eileen Virginia Read in Giltner. To this union they had 12 children and one adopted son.  
Vern worked as a cream route driver, assembler at New Holland, farming, drove the school bus, trucking, Vern’s mowing service and he ended back at farming.
Vern was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post No. 42.
Vern is survived by his children, Julie (Ted) Bird of Rapid City, S.D., Bobbi (Denny) Ackerson of Lincoln, Michelle (Mike) Gonzales of McCook, Mary Jo Eastman of Giltner, Mike (Joanie) Eastman of Lincoln, Rich Eastman of Aurora, Joan (Craig) Fruit, John (Kim) Eastman, Bev Eastman, James (Mandy) Eastman and Traci Eastman all of Giltner; adopted son, Reverend/Fr. Dhanraj Marneni of Nalgonda, India; brother, Dennis (Carlla) Eastman of York; sister, Karen Burns of Grand Island and sister-in-law, Barb Eastman of Grand Island. Vern is survived by 68 grandchildren; 87 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vern is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mabel Eastman; wife, Eileen; son, Dan Eastman; grandchildren, Jordan Eastman. Heather, Tanner and Olivia Mill and seven great-grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Deryle Eastman; five sisters, Irene (Dale) Rynearson, Elaine Eastman, June (Gerald) Fredriksen, Eloise (Jim) Reid and Erma (George) Ellis-Luth and brother-in-law, John Burns.