Donald Randall Webber

Donald Randall Webber was born on February 22, 1952, in Minden, Nebraska to Phillip and Val Jean (Secrest) Webber and parted this life on February 24, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska at Bryan East Hospital after a short illness. He attended Riverton school until ninth grade and continued his education at Franklin High School and graduated with the class of 1970.

While racing stock cars in Smith Center, Kansas, he met the love of his life, Cathy. They were married in Ellis, Kansas on May 26, 1973. To this union, two children were born, Jon Benjamin, in 1976 and Jenna Catherine in 1980.

Don went to work for the City of Franklin in 1980 and worked there for 31 years. After that he worked for Allmand Brothers in Holdrege for six years. After retirement, while sitting at home, Don heard that Rightway needed help with stocking shelves, and he offered to help until they could hire someone to fill the position and that job lasted until his death.

Don was a volunteer for so many things in his lifetime, joining the Franklin Fire Department in 1973. He was an original member of the Franklin EMT's that started in 1973. He served for many years on both departments.

In 2000, he was the EMS Person of the Year for the state of Nebraska. The same year, the squad was the EMS Provider of the Year. Over the years, he helped with the IRON Drive to raise money for a new ambulance, the freon water crisis of 1994 by delivering bottled water to the residents of Franklin, demolition derby at the county fair and Bloomington Demo Derby and Fourth of July Fireworks, and the annual pancake feed during fire prevention week.

Don leaves behind his wife, Cathy, of 50 years, daughter Jenna Miller (Mark), grandkids Riley and Haley Miller, Dix, NE. Sisters, Ellen Davis (Gary), Wilcox, and Joyce Weed, Florida. Brother-in-laws, Leon Flax (Maureen), Dodge City, KS, Leroy Flax (Janice) Collyer, KS, Harold Werth (Lois), Quinter, KS, Sister-in-laws, Wanetta Webber, Colby, KS, Martina Thomas (Seth), Naponee, NE, Shirley Strickert (Paul) Scott City, KS, Cecelia Werth, (Neil), Hays, KS, Mary Jane Knapp, Oberlin, KS, Elaine Reidell (Friend, Keith Deines), WaKeeney, KS, Gladys Owen (Pat), St. Francis, KS, and Corona Hoch, (Eric), Kiowa, KS. Numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members and many, many friends he has met along the way.

He was preceded in death by is his parents, Phillip and Val Jean Webber, son Jon Webber, May, 27, 2020, brother Gerald Webber, Grandmother, Elsie Secrest, sister-in-law, Millie Werth, Father and Mother-in-law, Ignatius and Martina Flax.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church, Franklin, Nebraska with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin. Memorials are suggested to the Don Webber Memorial that will be designated for some local entities. Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin assisted the Webber family with these arrangements.