Nelson Potter, Jr. Obituary

Death of Nelson Potter, Jr.
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Nelson Thomas Potter Jr., September 22, 1939-May 12, 2013
Nelson, or Tom/Tommy as we knew him growing up, was the son of Nelson and Hazel Park Potter. He was our class validictorian and a wonderfully sweet guy who put up with us as his head was usually somewhere else. He graduated summa cum laude from Monmouth College in 1961 with degrees in philosophy and English. He continued his education and recieved a PhD in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University in 1969. He was a member of the faculty of Philosophy at the University of Nebraska from 1965 until 2010, having served as chair and director of UNL's Centennial Education Program. His specialty was Immanuel Kant.
In 1978 he married Kathleen Johnson and they had a daughter Sophia, a talented musician. In addition to his wife and daughter he is survived by brother Jim and wife Ann, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Potter. Interment was in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska, and the funeral was June 22.
Books of poetry by Ted Kooser have been donated to the Mt. Morris Public Library in his memory by class members. Kathy wrote that Nelson relied on the Mt. Morris Library for interlibrary loan materials to expand his horizons. As his widow and a librarian, she was very appreciative of these gifts in his memory.

Valentine Party

Jerry Blake

Gerald E. “Jerry” Blake, 74, died Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. He was born on May 22, 1938, in Rockford, the son of Walter and Kathryn (McKee) Blake. Jerry attended Mount Morris High School. He worked as a material handler for Kable Printing Co., and he also was a diesel mechanic for Binkley Enterprises. Jerry loved his “old time” country music, Blue Collar comedy, golfing, bowling, swimming, riding motorcycles, and snowmobiling. Jerry is survived by his past wife Joan Moore of Salton City, Calif.; and their children Cheryl (Joseph) Ciuffreda, of San Diego, Calif.; Becky Bailey, of Durand; Kathy Rude, of Sycamore; Esther Martin, of Marengo; and Cliff (Jill) Blake, of Polo; and past wife Connie Blake and their daughter, Cassie Blake, both of Oregon; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; stepmom Bertha Blake; brothers Darrell and Lloyd Blake; and sister Janice Johnson. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Finch Funeral Home, 405 E. Hitt St., in Mount Morris. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Doc Newcomb officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Mount Morris.