John P. Icenogle

John Phillip Icenogle, age 75, of Kearney, was called to rest from his fight with cancer on April 12, 2024, at his home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kearney with Pastor Clint Cozier officiating. Burial will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney will handle arrangements. John was born December 26, 1948, in Mattoon, Illinois. He was the third son born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones) Icenogle. He attended Lincoln Southeast High School before obtaining his undergraduate degree from Columbia University in 1971. He obtained his law degree from Tulane Law School in 1974. In 1974, John moved to Kearney to begin work as an attorney for the Tye Law Firm. He worked as an attorney for two years before being appointed to the Buffalo County Court bench in 1976. He met his wife, Barbara, in 1977, and they were married a year later. They had three children over the course of their marriage, Elizabeth Margot, Samuel Hogan, and John Dayton. John was appointed to the Buffalo County District Court bench in 1990 where he served our community as a District Judge until his retirement in 2016. He was a past president of the Nebraska County Judges Association, Nebraska District Judges Association, and he was nominated for Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court. Loved by many and well respected in the legal community, his family met many individuals that were grateful to him and shared how he changed their lives for the better while serving 40 years as a judge in Buffalo County. He loved golf and could easily spend a day playing 36 holes at a time. He also loved to travel to as many golf courses as he could. John loved his family and always made sure they were taken care of. He loved spending time with his family and friends while golfing, traveling, or preparing elaborate dinners. He leaves, to cherish his memory, a loving wife, Barbara of Kearney; his children, Elizabeth Margot (Matthew) of Kearney, Samuel of Hastings, and John (Mary Rose) of Kearney; two grandchildren, Rollins and John Palmer of Kearney; his brothers, Robert of Springfield, NE and Thomas Edward (Mary) of Littleton, CO.; many nieces and nephews; and a host of beloved family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. He asks that you share a cocktail with your loved ones in his memory.

Tributes

John P. Icenogle

December 26, 1948 - April 12, 2024