Clyle L. ""Hap Stoneking

Clyle L. “Hap” Stoneking, 87, of Scottsbluff, passed to his Heavenly Home on Saturday, September 24, 2005, at Western Nebraska Veterans Home, where he had lived the past four years. A memorial service will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 28, 2005, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel, Scottsbluff with Pastor Ronald Nuss-Warren officiating. Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery with full military honors provide by Nebraska Army National Guard. Visitation is from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday at the funeral home with cremation to follow at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. Hap was born February 4, 1918, in Greeley, Colorado; the third of six children to Henry L. and Fern (Bolenbaugh) Stoneking. Following high school he followed his older brother Jack to Scottsbluff and went to work for the Morey Mercantile Co. and later North Central Gas Co. During this time, he met his “favorite lady” Jeanetta Westervelt and they were married in Scottsbluff on June 9, 1940. In February 1942, Hap entered the U.S. Navy and completed NTS radio training at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He and Jeanetta then moved to California where he served during World War II as Radioman 2nd Class in San Diego and submarine duty from Pearl Harbor. Following his discharge in 1945, he returned to Scottsbluff and joined the business of his father-in-law, J.W. Westervelt. They were partners for many years as Platte Valley Abstract Co. Later as sole owner, his wife joined him in their business until their retirement. Together they raised family of three children, Craig, Karen and Diane. He and Jeanetta enjoyed many travels throughout the United States and the Caribbean. During his life, Hap enjoyed involving himself in community life. He served a term on the Scottsbluff City Council from 1963-1967. He was a Life member of the B.P.O. Elks 1367, serving as exalted ruler from 1961-1962. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, former member of American Legion, Kiwanis and past president of the 23 Club. Before entering the Veterans Home, Hap was a Foster Grandparent at Westmoor Elementary. Hap enjoyed golfing when he was still able and was proud of his Hole-in-One at Riverview at the age of 74. He was also an avid Nebraska Football and Colorado Rockies fan. Survivors include his daughters, Karen (Lon) Darnall and Diane (Chad) Nelson of Gering; daughter-in-law, Valerie Stoneking of Wheatridge, Colorado; grandchildren, Ryan (Stephanie) Dougherty and Terri (Kevin) Niederklein of Omaha, Allison Ott (fiancé David Cushing) and Joshua Nelson of Scottsbluff, Mason and Grant Stoneking of Fort Collins, Colorado, Wade (Roxanne) Darnall and Shawn (Stephanie) Darnall of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Bree and Mia Dougherty, Quentin Scott, Tyler and Justin Niederklein, Shelbi and Garet Darnall and Alex and Margot Darnall. He also leaves many other loved family and friends. Special friends were his caregivers at Western Nebraska Veterans Home. Hap was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanetta in 1999; son, Craig in 1997; his parents; brothers, Jack and Giles; sisters, Nevada Stoneking, Donna Arnett and Marilyn Miller; and other loved ones. In remembering “Hap,” remember his grin and his desire to be an active part of life.