Robert Allen Downey

Robert A. Downey, 76, of Pleasanton died on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at the St. John’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney. Memorial services will be Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney. Rev. Doug Shada will officiate. Burial will be at the Pleasanton Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. with Military honors at graveside provided by the Roy Eaton American Legion Post #321, the Leo & Clinton Krotz V.F.W. Post #9481 and the Nebraska National Guard Military Honors Team. The family will be present for a book signing on Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Living Faith Fellowship Church or The Pleasanton Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Robert was born on February 1, 1940 in Kearney, NE to Laurence C. and Margaret A. (Hunter) Downey. He lived on what was known as the Downey Ranch with his parents and sister, Virginia. He attended Pleasanton Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1957. After high school, he helped his dad on the farm and later found work in Grand Island. He married Barbara Wilken on June 23, 1963 in Hildreth, NE. The couple made their home in Ravenna. On August 23rd of 1963 he was drafted into the Army and went to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and later Ft. Gordon in Georgia. He trained as a Military Policeman and was later sent to Seoul, Korea for 15 months. He began farming with his dad after his return from the service and eventually entered into the Milking business in 1966. He sold the milking herd in 2003 and the family kept a few cows just for milk. This led to Robert’s hobby of cheesemaking which he enjoyed into his retirement years. Many family members and friends enjoyed the different cheeses he would make. He attended Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney and was a member of the Leo & Clinton Krotz V.F.W. Post #9481 in Pleasanton. Surviving relatives include his Wife, Barbara of Pleasanton, NE; Daughter, Teresa Sievert and her husband Brad of Pleasanton, NE; Daughter, Elaine Shuck of Edgar, NE; Son, Charles Downey and his wife Karla of North Platte, NE; Sister, Virginia Goesch of Sidney, NE; Grandchildren, Trevor Sievert, Brenna Sievert, Dillon Sievert, Joel Shuck, Emma Downey, Ella Downey; Niece, Kathy House and Husband Tom of Sidney, NE; Nephew, David Matulka of Sidney, NE; Niece, Jennifer Simon and Husband Matt of Sioux City, IA; Cousins, Lowell and Joyce Downey of Hutchinson, KS and Harold and Marilyn Jacobs of Joplin, MO

Tributes

Robert Allen Downey

February 1, 1940 - August 10, 2016