Antone "Tony" B. Eynetich was born to Joseph Eynetich and Kathrina Petrovich Eynetich on April 28, 1919, in Wheeler County, Nebraska and passed away June 8, 2010, at Exeter Care Center in Exeter at the age of 91 years, one months, and 12 days. He was one of four children in the family.
Tony attended grade school in Greeley County, Nebraska until the eighth grade, at which time he quit, and went to work on the farm. when he was 16, his father died of appendicitis. His family moved to the town of Greeley and to help support the family, he hopped a train west, ending up in Washington State picking apples. Later he picked strawberries in California, always sending money home.
When CCC Camps started, he joined and was stationed in Rapid City, S.D., working in Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota planting trees and building parks.
In 1937, Tony went to Woodstock, Ill., and worked on a dairy farm.
From there he joined the Army and on May of 1942, Tony shipped out to North Africa, serving with Company C 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Armored Division. He served under General Patton and along side England's Montgomery in battles at Kaserine Pass, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Rom and Po Valley, Italy. He was a tank commander, only losing three tanks and no crew members under his command through the war. Tony earned a Purple Heart in July of 1944 after being wounded in the Middle Eastern theater. He was discharged in June 1945. He returned to the Greeley, Spaulding area and took up farming.
Tony was married to Lorraine Crumrine of Greeley on June 24, 1946, and two children were born.
Tony worked as a mechanic in Spaulding until 1952, when they moved to Greeley and began farming for Roger McCahay. In 1957, due to drought years, Tony again picked his family up and moved them to Grafton, again farming for John Burt Sr., then later his son, Keith.
Tony loved the outdoors. He loved working the land and watching things grow. He spent his fun time hunting and fishing.
Tony and Lorraine moved into the town of Grafton in 1983, retiring from the farm a few years later. he couldn't stay away from the farm industry, and began working at Geneva Implement until he was run over by a tractor in 1992. After recovering, he still helped local farmers during harvest.
Tony loved his grandkids and great-grandkids.
Tony is preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; mother and father, Kathrina an d Joseph; sisters, Bernadine Gorny and her husband, Walt, Christine Huff and her husband, Andy; brother, John; brothers and sisters-in-law, Guy and Gertrude Schoonover, Dean and Doris Crumrine, Max Crumrine, Harriet and Jim Todd, Jack Crumrine, Harry and Orvetta Schamp and Lee Gillespie.
He is survived by his daughters, Vicky Strothkamp and husband, Daryl and Cheryl Myers and husband Kent; sisters-in-law, Marie Eynetich, Elizabeth Gillespie; numerous nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Jenny Glenn and Loren Stephenson; Emily Schildt and husband Kyle; Meghan Bumgarner and husband, Todd; Rachel Strothkamp, Aaron Strothkamp and Vannessa; Amy Myers, Courtney Gewecke and husband, Marc; and Adam Myers; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Torie Glenn, Landyn Stephenson, Owen and Ava Schildt, Iris and Lydia Bumgarner, Damon and Drayden Strothkamp and Gunner and Dylan Gewecke.
Funeral services were conducted from St. Joseph's Church in Geneva on June 11 with Father Moran officiating. Deb Hoarty accompanied the congregation singing, "Here I am Lord," "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art" and "On Eagle's Wings."
Pallbearers were Loren Stephenson, Kyle Schildt, Marc Gewecke, Todd Bumgarner, Adam Myers, Aaron Strothkamp and Tyler Glenn.
Military honors were provided by Geneva VFW Samuel J. Marsh Post 7102 and Sutton/Grafton American Legion.
Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Grafton.
The Nebraska Signal June 2010.
Family Members
Spouse
V. Lorraine Crumrine Eynetich
1925–2000 (m. 1946)
