Lionel D. 'Lonny' Wickard

Lionel D. "Lonny" Wickard, 82, of Bridgeport and formerly of Bayard, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015 at Skyview at Bridgeport.

Lonny was born July 6, 1933 at Minatare to Frank "Short" and Bernice (Reynolds) Wickard. He attended school at Minatare, graduating with the Class of 1952. He attended the Colorado School of Mines for a semester before returning to the area and attending Nebraska Western Community College in Scottsbluff.

He was united in marriage to Delores "Dee" Heimbouch on Dec. 30, 1953 in Banner County and to this union Vernon, Greg, Mark and Laurie were born.

Lonny was drafted into the United States Army on Sept. 7, 1954 and was stationed in Alaska. He was fortunate enough to be able to have Dee and Vernon there with him. Upon his honorable discharge on June 19, 1956, the family returned to the area. Lonny continued his college career graduating from Nebraska Western Community College in 1957 and Chadron State College in 1959.

While at Chadron State, Lonny was named to the All-American team as a linebacker and punter, was second team All-American as a quarterback, and was a three letter sportsmen. Lonny was a member of the 1958 Chadron State football team that went undefeated. To this day, Lonny holds four to five college records at Chadron State. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the summer of 1959, but chose to begin his teaching career instead.

Lonny moved the family to Worland, Wyo., in 1959 where he taught and coached for three years before moving to Morrill in 1962 where he was the principal and coached. He was the superintendent at Ten Sleep, Wyo., for a year before moving to Bayard in 1966 where he held various administrative positions throughout his 27 year career there, retiring in 1993.

Lonny was a member and deacon at the Bayard Church of Christ. He was a member of the Chadron State College Hall of Fame, Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Chadron State College All-Century Football Team in 2014. He received three degrees from Chadron State College. He served two terms on the Bayard City Council, six years as a director of Chimney Rock Public Power District, lifetime member of the Bayard Lions Club, Master Mason – Nights Templar – Shriner with the Frank Welch Lodge #201 in Bayard, member of the American Legion Post #200 in Bayard, and lifetime member of the VFW Post #9915 in Bayard. Lonny was an avid outdoorsmen who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was especially happy to share these passions with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the North American Hunting Club, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Lonny was a full-time grandpa, a part-time comedian ("Don't tell Grandma") but his true lifelong love was "his tomato" – Dee.

Lonny is survived by his sons, Greg (Wendy) Wickard and Mark (Laura) Wickard, all of Bridgeport; daughter, Laurie (Larry) Janicek of Kimball; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Wickard of Douglas, Wyo .; sister, Darlene (Ronald) Hoffman of Mitchell; brother-in-law, Charles "Skeet" Young of Montrose, Colo; grandchildren, Amber (Tyler) Artz, Loni (Cody) McWilliams, Alexis (Andrew) Nikirk, Ashley (Dominic) Schuler, Allan (Braedi) Wickard, Katie (Matt) Bloyd, Lanelle (Tyler) Stumf, Emily (Jeff) Thompson, Angela Wickard (fiancé Jeff Hunter), Lyle Janicek, Angie (Jeremy) Pyle, and Brandy (Kenny) Linn; 14 great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Lonny was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dee; sister, Shirley Young; son, Vernon Wickard; and granddaughter, Hanna Wickard.

His funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Church of Christ in Bayard with Pastors Bill Ferrero and Jonathan Seng officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial was at East Lawn Cemetery near Minatare with military honors provided by the Nebraska Army National Guard and the Chimney Rock VFW Post #9915 of Bayard. Please visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view Lonny's Tribute wall to share your memories of him and leave condolences for the family. Memorials can be given to the family who will make the designations at a later time. The services for Lonny were entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.