Neil “Pike” McCormick, 95, of Lewellen, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the Regional West Garden County Hospital in Oshkosh, Neb.
Pike was born Sept. 7, 1922, at Lewellen to Alfred and Jane (Orr) McCormick. He graduated from Lewellen High School with the class of 1940. Pike remained at Lewellen where helped on the family farm.
At the onset of WWII, Pike found that he’d been drafted. A subsequent farming accident saw him passed over; a second draft selection was met with a hardship deferment, as he was helping his father farm at that time.
Upon being drafted a third time, Pike was inducted into the U.S. Army’s 75th Infantry, where he fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Following his discharge in 1946, Pike returned home to farm.
In March of 1949, Pike married Norma Jean Dodson in the Lewellen United Methodist Church parsonage. Their union was blessed with three children, Nicki, Terry and Patrick.
Pike was a bit of a town historian and loved to visit and tell stories, especially about his time in the service. He would talk at length about WWII, as he was proud to have served his country at such a critical time in history.
He had an insatiable sweet tooth and loved his chocolate.
Pike could often be found at the coffee shop or the Tiger Den, with his characteristic smile and lighthearted humor.
Pike was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Terry; brothers, Alfred “Duke,” Howard “Bud”; sisters, Elizabeth “Sis” Beard, Doris Tilgner and Jean McCormick; and a brother-in-law, Myron Dodson.
Survivors include his daughter, Nicki (Sid) Colson of Elsie, Neb.; son, Patrick (Karen) McCormick of Lewellen; daughter-in-law, Rose McCormick of Ellis, Kansas; eight grandchildren: Dane Colson, Cara (Chris) Benak, Dustin McCormick, Curtis (EJ) McCormick, Seth (Andrea) McCormick, Shawnee (Holden) Armstrong, and Cale (Sara) McCormick, Amber (Jim) Levick; eight great-grandchildren: Evan Colson, Ethan and Ella McCormick, Teagan McCormick, Bridger, Mina, and Nora McCormick, Emily and Logan Levick; brother, Larry (Doris) McCormick of Torrington, Wyoming; sister, Stella McCormick of Ogallala, Neb.; brother-in-law, Merwin (JoAnn) Dodson of Venango, Neb.; sister-in-law, Bonnie Dodson of Omaha; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
A memorial has been established in Pike’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lewellen Methodist Church with Rev. Janie Freeman officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Plum Creek Cemetery northeast of Lewellen.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 2-6 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.