Chancey Cecil Cornelius

Chancey Cecil Cornelius, age 101, of rural Ogallala, died Sunday, August 28, 2022 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.  Chancey Cecil Cornelius was born in Sutherland, NE on August 5, 1921 to Dick & Clara (Most) Cornelius.  As a child he spent several years growing up in Hastings, NE before his family moved to Ogallala.  He and his father worked at building the Kingsley dam during the dustbowl era before Chancey volunteered for the Army Air Force at 20 years of age during the build up to WW2 and then served in the European theater of operations for 30 months for the USAAF Air Transport Command.  He served honorably and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.  After the war, Chancey returned to Hastings, NE to work for an uncle as a mechanic until he was able to purchase land and farm along with his father near Ogallala, where he operated a very successful farming operation for many years. He used the G.I. bill to become a private pilot and maintained an airstrip at the farm, co-owning planes with his cousin, Dwaine Most.  He used the airstrip and plane to save many cattle in the area during the blizzard of ’49 by dropping feed from the air.

Chancey was a true gentleman with a quiet demeanor but a very well developed sense of humor!  He worked very hard on the farm, faithfully providing for his family.  He had a rule of finishing everything he started during each week before going fishing on Saturday. He loved to fish so he got things done in time!  He had a saying, “Always gotta make time for fun, sport and amusement!” He loved to talk about all of his trips flying to Canada to go fishing!  Chancey was all country. He loved to travel and see the cities of the world but he always wanted to come back to where he belonged, his farm in Nebraska.  Chancey had a very generous heart and was known to invest in young people’s education when he saw they had potential.

Chancey was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Irma (Hahn) Cornelius, as well as his sisters Francis Greffenius and Margurite Inwood, one niece and one nephew.  Survivors include his son, Terry (Donna) Cornelius and his daughter, Vickie Cornelius, all of Ogallala; eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

 Visitation will be Monday, September 5th, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 6th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, southeast of Ogallala, with Reverend Albert Bader officiating. Interment will be Tuesday, September 6th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ogallala Cemetery. Military Honors will be rendered by the Keith County Honor Guard. Memorial gifts may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church. The service will be livestreamed at www.drauckerfh.com by clicking the watch Live button and online condolences may be left at the same web address.  Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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