Ival Schmucker

James Ival Schmucker, younger of two sons of George and Vada (Young) Schmucker, was born in Brock, Nebraska, on November 17, 1917. He attended Rosewood School through the 3rd grade and then was bussed to the Brock School. He graduated from Brock High School in 1935. Ival helped on his parents? farm southeast of Brock as he was growing up and also helped fill the ice house in the winter with cakes of ice from the river.

On June 18, 1938, Ival was united in marriage to Mary Madeleine Migot on the Ernest Rotter farm west of Brock. To this union three sons were born: Gary, Robert, and James.

Ival continued farming throughout his life, and also became a licensed electrician and plumber. He founded Schmucker Electric and operated it for many years. Ival had a special talent for making specialized tools or altering existing ones to help him perform his tasks more efficiently. His shed was full of examples of his ingenuity and creativity.

Ival was Past Master and Jordan Medal Holder of Trestleboard Lodge #162, A.F. & A.M. of Brock and a current member of Nemaha Valley Lodge #4 of Brownville, Nebraska. He was Past Patron of Trestleboard Chapter #67 O.E.S. of Brock and a current member of Chapter #263 of Brownville. He was a member of Scottish Rite and Past President of Southeast Shrine Club.

As a member of the Brock United Methodist Church, Ival was very active in church affairs. He served on the Brock and Johnson-Brock school boards for 27 years, as a board member of the PSC Foundation and Lafayette Cemetery, and was an officer of the Brock Alumni Association. Ival was popular as a Veteran?s Day speaker at functions honoring the holiday, and was the unofficial Nemaha County Historian.

In his spare time Ival, or ?Shrivel?, as Mimi and others called him, enjoyed live theater, traveling, and gardening. He was very generous sharing his produce with others. He enjoyed collecting windmills and was interested in the history of them. Ival was a noted conversationalist and could visit with anybody about a wide variety of topics.

On August 1, 2013, Ival was rushed to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, Nebraska, and immediately transferred to the Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was there he passed away on Monday, August 5, 2013, at the age of 95 years, 8 months, and 19 days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother George Cleland Schmucker.

Ival is survived by his wife Madeleine ?Mimi?of Brock; sons and daughters-in-law Gary and Linda Schmucker of Gering, NE; Robert and Carol Schmucker of Raymond, NE; Jim and Kim Schmucker of Scottsbluff, NE; grandsons Wade Schmucker of Omaha, NE and Chad Schmucker of San Francisco, CA; great-granddaughter Emily Schmucker of Omaha, NE; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were Thursday, August 08, 2013 at the Brock United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Larry Tolen. Judy Grotrian was organist and accompanist for a duet by Jere Gravatt and Phyllis Gravatt and congregational singing. Pallbearers were Dean Jeanneret, Charlie Grotrian, Doyle Rippe, Ralph Krause, David Gravatt, and Tom Kernes. Dustin Buggi, Earl Biere, Don Dougherty, Steve ?Doc? Bowen, Sam Smith, and Ross Sandfort were honorary bearers. Burial was in Lafayette Cemetery near Brock.