Memorials › Richard Lee “Dick” Lighthill

Richard Lee “Dick” Lighthill

18 Sep 1929 – 30 Mar 2007

Birth	18 Sep 1929
Death	30 Mar 2007
Cemetery	Litchfield Cemetery Litchfield , Sherman County , Nebraska , USA
Added by	Don on 28 Dec 2007
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18736038

Bio

Son of Hal S. & Rachel M. (Kelly) Lighthill. Richard Lee "Dick" Lighthill, 77, of Grand Island died Friday, March 30, 2007, at Lakeview Nursing Home in Grand Island. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Methodist church in Litchfield, with the Rev. Barbara Spangler officiating. Burial will be in Litchfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home of Grand Island. Mr. Lighthill was born Sept. 18, 1929, at Litchfield to Hal S. and Rachel M. (Kelly) Lighthill. Survivors of the immediate family include three daughters and sons-in-law, Janet Lighthill-Ridley and her husband, Christopher of Litchville, N.D., Elisa and Michael Hanson of Spokane, Wash., and Rachel (Shelly) and Kevin Murphy of Cheyenne, Wyo.; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Joanne Lighthill of Omaha; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty Wichern and Stella and Ronald Reimers, all of Grand Island. Additional survivors include 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dick is also survived by his two caregivers for the past 14 years, Linda Meteer and Betty Briggs. In 1946, he lost both legs in a threshing accident. In spite of this he lived a full and active life. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1948. He worked at various jobs over the years: cab driver, dispatcher for the Nebraska State Patrol, bartender, restaurant manager and crop duster, to name a few. He was united in marriage to Alberta Hoover, and to this union two daughters were born, Janet and Elisa. He was later married to Melva Jean Englemeier and to this union one daughter was born, Rachel (Shelly). He moved back to Grand Island in the early 1980s for cancer treatment, became a cancer survivor and for many years led an active life. He was active in the "We're Still Talking Group," a club for people who have lost their voice boxes. He was a dedicated Big Red fan and looked forward to every game on TV. He had a vast collection of "Go Big Red" items. He enjoyed jigsaw and crossword puzzles, pinochle, patio gardening and telling stories to friends and neighbors. Dick also was an avid NASCAR fan. Mr. Lighthill was preceded in death by his parents; his life partner, Dorothy; five brothers, Dale Robert, William Hal, Jack, Paul and LaVern Lighthill; and two baby sisters and a brother-in-law, Andrew Wichern. Memorials are suggested to the family.

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