James Richard Bay

James Richard Bay, 53, of North Platte died Nov. 1, 2009, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 2, 1955, in Omaha to Roy Lavalle and Doris Marguerite (Peterson) Bay.

He grew up in the North Platte area. He attended and graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic High School in 1974.

He spent the past 15 years with Josephine D. Covey and her two children, Jason and Amber. On Sept. 30, 2006, they were married in Pleasant Hill, Mo.

During his adult years, he worked for Nebraska Public Power District, Gayman's sand and gravel, owned and operated his own trucking business and has been employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for the past 32 years.

His favorite pastimes included spending time with family, including his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Cody Cruisers Car Club and entered his 1948 Chevy Coupe in many local and out-of-state car shows. His most recent pride and joy was his 2007 Dodge Charger. A master of many trades, he loved his “shop” and spent many hours woodworking and working on cars. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and his greatest asset was his sense of humor. He was always willing to help anyone and never met a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Jo of North Platte; children, Dr. Jason (Mary) Ottis of Kansas City, Mo., and Amber Ottis of Hastings; Rebecca Bay of North Platte, Elizabeth Bay, attending UNMC in Omaha, and Jessica Boerder of Denver, Colo.; granddaughters, Trinity Angelina Cowett and Madelyn and Nora Ottis; mother, Doris Bay of North Platte; brother, Roy “Skip” Jr. (Karen) Bay of Hershey; sisters, Barbara (Ralph) Baker and Kathleen Beasley all of North Platte; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Lavalle Bay Sr. of North Platte.

Fern Louise Barthuly

Fern Louise Barthuly, 87, of Mitchell died Oct. 29, 2009, at Regional West Medical Center.

She was born to John and Emma (Sillman) Barker on Jan. 12, 1922, at Mitchell. She attended school at Sunflower until 1938 when the family moved from the farm into Mitchell. She then continued her education at Mitchell High School.

She married Reuben Barthuly on Nov. 4, 1939, at Harrisburg. They worked on farms and at Great Western Sugar Co. for several years. In 1947 they moved back to Mitchell to manage a service station, which they purchased, retiring in 1978. They enjoyed much of their retirement time visiting their children and grandchildren and being “Snowbirds” in Arizona until Reuben's passing in 1991.

In her later years she enjoyed the company of her friends at the Mitchell Senior Center, playing pinochle and dining together. Her life was devoted to taking care of her husband and family. She was very artistic in her crafting and in decorating the many cakes enjoyed by the family on special occasions.

She was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women where she served faithfully in many capacities. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and enjoyed serving on the election board for many years.

Survivors include her children, Roland (Cleo) Barthuly of Carmel, Ind., Ed (Carol) (Barthuly) Laverman of Sunnyside, Wash. and Dennis (Pat) Barthuly of Springdale, Ark.; grandchildren, Matt, Larry, and Ken of Carmel, Ind., Leroy Laverman of Santa Barbara, Calif., Mark Laverman of Bothell, Wash., Jeff of San Ramon, Calif., and Tracy (Barthuly) Corning of Castle Rock, Colo.; 14 great-grandchildren and brother, Richard Barker and his wife Janice of Westminster, Colo., and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Reuben, her parents and seven brothers.

Cindi Louise (Mader) Sutton

Cindi Louise (Mader) Sutton, 39, of Scottsbluff died Nov. 2, 2009, at Heritage Estates in Gering after a brave and prayerful battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 21, 1970, in Cheyenne, Wyo., the daughter of John and Betty Mader.

She grew up and attended school in Crawford. She excelled in academics, rodeo and all things musical. She was Crawford's delegate to Girls State, prom queen and salutatorian of her class.

She received her teaching degree at Chadron State College. She loved her years of teaching, especially in Ashby, Neb.

It was there she met the love of her life, Corey Sutton. They were married in 1997.

They lived and worked in Nebraska for a short time before moving to Minnesota, where she worked and began raising her family. They had a small farm, a perfect setting reminiscent of her childhood acreage known as “the place.”

Recently they returned to Nebraska and made their home in Scottsbluff. She always had many friends, but she found a special kind of fellowship at her church, The River of Life. Her friends and pastor gave her that special kind of love and support that she always sought and always gave.

Survivors include her husband, Corey; children, Dayce William and Mia Louise; brother, Mark (Joan) Mader, and their children; sister, Debi (Fred) Ockers and their children; and lifelong friend, Shelly (Thomas) Thiry.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Betty Mader.

Bruce Edward “Crash” Wortman

Bruce Edward “Crash” Wortman, formerly of Bellwood, died Nov. 5, 2009, at the Veteran's Hospital in Omaha, Neb.

He was born Sept. 14, 1946, in Austin, Minn., to Leo B. and Irene (Hewitt) Wortman.

After graduation from high school in Columbus, he entered the U.S. Navy, where he served aboard the USS Charles Berry. After his discharge, he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. He retired after 30 years, in 2005.

He was a life-member of the American Veteran's Motorcycle Club, logging thousands of miles and hours of naptime along the way! He was an 11-year member of the American Legion Post 327 of Bellwood.

Survivors include his wife, Belinda (Matthews) Wortman; son, Edward “Eddie” Wortman; step-son, Christopher Weber; mother, Irene Wortman, all of David City; special nephew, Pvt. Michael L. Matthews Jr. of Fort Carson, Colo.; father and mother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” and Arliss Matthews; brothers-in law, Charlie, Wendell, and Mike Sr. (Toni) Matthews, all of North Platte; several nieces and nephews and one great niece; his brothers and sisters of the American Veteran's Motorcycle Club; a daughter, Jocli Sladek; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren of Columbus and special friend, Lori Pederson of Bennet.