Lonnie Pickering

Lonnie Pickering, 75, of Grand Island, Nebraska, formerly of Lexington and Cozad, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022 peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Lonnie was born on November 9, 1946, in Kearney, Nebraska, to Wayne Keith and Iris (Sharp) Pickering. He attended school in Elm Creek, until he entered the service. As a young boy, Lonnie always wanted to be a soldier and once he turned 18, he enlisted into the United States Army on December 16, 1964. He served in Korea, until his honorable discharge, on March 24, 1967. While serving his country, Lonnie received his GED, which he was very proud of.

Following his discharge, Lonnie settled in the Lexington and Cozad area and was united in marriage to Barbara Bourland on February 10, 1967. Four children were blessed to this union; LaVern, Lonna, Crystal and Bruce. While living in Cozad, Lonnie worked as an Arc Welder at Tenneco Monroe Auto. Their marriage would later end in divorce.

Lonnie was then united in marriage to Patricia “Patty” Schultz on February 14, 1986, at Cozad, Nebraska, where her three children were added to the family, Angie, Amalia “Molly”, and Simon “Pete”. The couple made their home in Lexington prior to moving to Cozad in 1993, where they made their home until her death. In 2018, Lonnie moved with his daughter, Crystal and her husband Brian to Loup City for three years before settling in Grand Island in 2021.

Lonnie had an interest in all means of transportation, which included his love for trains, planes and boats. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching old westerns, especially John Wayne films, and was proud of his 1980 El Camino. You could always find Lonnie in his garage tinkering, drinking coffee or taking an occasional nap. His family was very important to him and he loved his dogs. 

Survivors include his children, LaVern (Lorie) Pickering of Gaylord, Kansas, Lonna (Robert) Schirm of Loup City, Crystal (Brian) Petzoldt of Grand Island, Bruce (Renee) Pickering of Kearney, Angie (Adam) Coble of Funk, Amalia “Molly” (Ed) Halouska of Sterling, Colorado and Simon “Pete” (Angie) Holbrook of Gothenburg; additional daughter, April Sack; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends, Kay Hartman and Roger Gerdes, both of Cozad.

Besides his parents, Lonnie was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Barbara, wife, Patricia “Patty”, brother, Don Pickering and grandson, Bruce Pickering, Jr.

Funeral Services will be on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Chaplain Andy, officiating.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2022 from 2-4 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Interment with Military Honors will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. at Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com