Tofy John Shada Toomey

Arapahoe, Nebraska Tofy John Shada Toomey, age 93, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Arapahoe, Nebraska died on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. He was born on December 1, 1916, at Kearney, Nebraska to Lebanese immigrants George & Katie (Abood) Shada. Two older children were also born to this union – Sadie and Jimmy. The young family lived in Kearney until George Shada died during the flu pandemic of 1918. Katie worked hard and planned in order to build a life for her young family. She was united in marriage with William Toomey, another Lebanese immigrant, and the family was complete once again. They moved to a farmstead in Gosper County north of Arapahoe, Nebraska, where six other children were added to the family – Lucille, Margaret, Louise, Dorothy, Darlene, and Amen. On January 17, 1945, he married Marie Elizabeth Esslinger at Norton Kansas. Briefly, the couple farmed at Lexington, Nebraska, and then moved to a farm north of Arapahoe where they raised their three children: Lorraine, Carolyn and Jane. Farmers would come from miles around to utilize his mechanical and welding skills. His prized tomatoes, watermelon, beans, and potatoes, graced many summertime meals. Tofy loved being around his family and friends. He looked forward to every reunion where good conversation flowed and Lebanese food was served in abundance. His grandchildren were always close to his heart. In 1980 they retired from the farm. Their first retirement home was in Elwood, followed by homes in Kearney and then Lincoln. In January, 1995, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, surrounded by their close family and friends. Marie passed away on August 20, 2004, following 59 years of married life together. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jimmy and two sisters: Sadie Conyers and Margaret Smith and one son-in-law, Robert Denny. Survivors include his daughters Lorraine Denny of Seward, Nebraska Carolyn & husband Roger Eschliman of Lincoln, Nebraska Jane Toomey of Sargent, Nebraska 7 Grand Children: Paul Denny, Katy Gabriel, Diane Lidke, Sonya Eschliman, Melissa Taylor, Jessica Taylor, Brian Taylor Sisters:Lucille White of Medford, Oregon Louise Jones of Corona, California Dorothy Vickland of Thornton, Colorado Darlene Toomey of Denver, Colorado Brothers: Amen Toomey of Modesto, California 3 great-grandchildren: Devin Johnson, Ella Gabriel and Jayme Cruz Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Sunday, July11, from 2 PM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska, and prior to the service. Funeral services will be Monday, July 12, at 11 AM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Father Philip Vreeland, officiating. Burial will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements. Arapahoe, Nebraska Tofy John Shada Toomey, age 93, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Arapahoe, Nebraska died on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. He was born on December 1, 1916, at Kearney, Nebraska to Lebanese immigrants George & Katie (Abood) Shada. Two older children were also born to this union – Sadie and Jimmy. The young family lived in Kearney until George Shada died during the flu pandemic of 1918. Katie worked hard and planned in order to build a life for her young family. She was united in marriage with William Toomey, another Lebanese immigrant, and the family was complete once again. They moved to a farmstead in Gosper County north of Arapahoe, Nebraska, where six other children were added to the family – Lucille, Margaret, Louise, Dorothy, Darlene, and Amen. On January 17, 1945, he married Marie Elizabeth Esslinger at Norton Kansas. Briefly, the couple farmed at Lexington, Nebraska, and then moved to a farm north of Arapahoe where they raised their three children: Lorraine, Carolyn and Jane. Farmers would come from miles around to utilize his mechanical and welding skills. His prized tomatoes, watermelon, beans, and potatoes, graced many summertime meals. Tofy loved being around his family and friends. He looked forward to every reunion where good conversation flowed and Lebanese food was served in abundance. His grandchildren were always close to his heart. In 1980 they retired from the farm. Their first retirement home was in Elwood, followed by homes in Kearney and then Lincoln. In January, 1995, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, surrounded by their close family and friends. Marie passed away on August 20, 2004, following 59 years of married life together. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jimmy and two sisters: Sadie Conyers and Margaret Smith and one son-in-law, Robert Denny. Survivors include his daughters Lorraine Denny of Seward, Nebraska Carolyn & husband Roger Eschliman of Lincoln, Nebraska Jane Toomey of Sargent, Nebraska 7 Grand Children: Paul Denny, Katy Gabriel, Diane Lidke, Sonya Eschliman, Melissa Taylor, Jessica Taylor, Brian Taylor Sisters:Lucille White of Medford, Oregon Louise Jones of Corona, California Dorothy Vickland of Thornton, Colorado Darlene Toomey of Denver, Colorado Brothers: Amen Toomey of Modesto, California 3 great-grandchildren: Devin Johnson, Ella Gabriel and Jayme Cruz Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Sunday, July11, from 2 PM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska, and prior to the service. Funeral services will be Monday, July 12, at 11 AM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Father Philip Vreeland, officiating. Burial will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements. Arapahoe, Nebraska Tofy John Shada Toomey, age 93, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Arapahoe, Nebraska died on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. He was born on December 1, 1916, at Kearney, Nebraska to Lebanese immigrants George & Katie (Abood) Shada. Two older children were also born to this union – Sadie and Jimmy. The young family lived in Kearney until George Shada died during the flu pandemic of 1918. Katie worked hard and planned in order to build a life for her young family. She was united in marriage with William Toomey, another Lebanese immigrant, and the family was complete once again. They moved to a farmstead in Gosper County north of Arapahoe, Nebraska, where six other children were added to the family – Lucille, Margaret, Louise, Dorothy, Darlene, and Amen. On January 17, 1945, he married Marie Elizabeth Esslinger at Norton Kansas. Briefly, the couple farmed at Lexington, Nebraska, and then moved to a farm north of Arapahoe where they raised their three children: Lorraine, Carolyn and Jane. Farmers would come from miles around to utilize his mechanical and welding skills. His prized tomatoes, watermelon, beans, and potatoes, graced many summertime meals. Tofy loved being around his family and friends. He looked forward to every reunion where good conversation flowed and Lebanese food was served in abundance. His grandchildren were always close to his heart. In 1980 they retired from the farm. Their first retirement home was in Elwood, followed by homes in Kearney and then Lincoln. In January, 1995, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, surrounded by their close family and friends. Marie passed away on August 20, 2004, following 59 years of married life together. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jimmy and two sisters: Sadie Conyers and Margaret Smith and one son-in-law, Robert Denny. Survivors include his daughters Lorraine Denny of Seward, Nebraska Carolyn & husband Roger Eschliman of Lincoln, Nebraska Jane Toomey of Sargent, Nebraska 7 Grand Children: Paul Denny, Katy Gabriel, Diane Lidke, Sonya Eschliman, Melissa Taylor, Jessica Taylor, Brian Taylor Sisters:Lucille White of Medford, Oregon Louise Jones of Corona, California Dorothy Vickland of Thornton, Colorado Darlene Toomey of Denver, Colorado Brothers: Amen Toomey of Modesto, California 3 great-grandchildren: Devin Johnson, Ella Gabriel and Jayme Cruz Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Sunday, July11, from 2 PM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska, and prior to the service. Funeral services will be Monday, July 12, at 11 AM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Father Philip Vreeland, officiating. Burial will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.