John
Jerome (J.J.) Dinneen was born at home on the family farm south of
Exeter on January 13, 1938, to John W. & Ferne L. (Brown) Dinneen.
He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on May 27, 2018, at
Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 80
years, 4 months, and 14 days.
As a young boy, J.J. attended Rural School District 25 through the 5th grade. He attended St. Stephen’s Catholic School through the 8th grade and graduated from Exeter Public School with the class of 1955. After graduation, he worked for Fillmore County, driving a motor grader in the Exeter area. On November 14, 1959, J.J. and Judy McCabe, daughter of Elmer & Carolyn (Link) McCabe, were married. They were blessed with five children, 13 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
J.J. and Judy started farming in 1962, and in 1978, they received the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Award for continued family farm ownership for over 100 years. J.J. also sold Farmer’s Mutual Hail Insurance of Iowa, from an agency that his grandfather, John James Dinneen, started in 1934. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church where he proudly served for seventeen years as a Trustee. J.J. also enjoyed being a 4-H leader for the Handy Hands 4-H Club for numerous years and was a member of the Turtle Club.
J.J. and Judy took great pride in traveling to every town, incorporated and un- incorporated, in the state of Nebraska. They created a scrapbook of their travels and even presented information about their travels to various clubs. J.J. was an avid collector of many different things. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends.
J.J. was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by wife, Judy; children John T. (Pam) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Lisa (Jody) Rhodes of Paxton, Nebraska, Joe (Sharla) Dinneen of Exeter, Nebraska, Darrell (Beth) Dinneen of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Michael (Chris) Dinneen of Lincoln, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren, John R. (Victoria) Dinneen, Kristen (Andrew) Sievert, Matthew Dinneen, Ryan (Blair) Rhodes, Erica (Tyler) Turner, Brandon, Amanda, Jack, Lizzie, Tony, Luke, Colton, and Addy Dinneen; three great-grandchildren, Annelise Dinneen, and Rhett and Callie Turner; sister Mary Cashin of Lincoln, Nebraska; and many cherished friends.
A Funeral Mass for J.J. was held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Father Steve Thomlison was the Celebrant. Agnes Anderson was the organist accompanying Cantor Greg Rehm in “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” “One Bread, One Body,” and “Alleluia! Alleluia! Let The Holy Anthem Rise.” Lizzie Dinneen also sang “Ave Maria” a cappella.
Pallbearers for the service included John R. Dinneen, Ryan Rhodes, Brandon Dinneen, Tony Dinneen, Matthew Dinneen, Jack Dinneen, Colton Dinneen, and Luke Dinneen. Honorary Pall Bearers included Vern Kittinger, Mark Haley, and Dick Drommond. Interment was held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Mass. Farmer Funeral Home of Exeter conducted the services and online condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Exeter Fire & Rescue, or York Adopt-A-Pet.
As a young boy, J.J. attended Rural School District 25 through the 5th grade. He attended St. Stephen’s Catholic School through the 8th grade and graduated from Exeter Public School with the class of 1955. After graduation, he worked for Fillmore County, driving a motor grader in the Exeter area. On November 14, 1959, J.J. and Judy McCabe, daughter of Elmer & Carolyn (Link) McCabe, were married. They were blessed with five children, 13 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
J.J. and Judy started farming in 1962, and in 1978, they received the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Award for continued family farm ownership for over 100 years. J.J. also sold Farmer’s Mutual Hail Insurance of Iowa, from an agency that his grandfather, John James Dinneen, started in 1934. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church where he proudly served for seventeen years as a Trustee. J.J. also enjoyed being a 4-H leader for the Handy Hands 4-H Club for numerous years and was a member of the Turtle Club.
J.J. and Judy took great pride in traveling to every town, incorporated and un- incorporated, in the state of Nebraska. They created a scrapbook of their travels and even presented information about their travels to various clubs. J.J. was an avid collector of many different things. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends.
J.J. was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by wife, Judy; children John T. (Pam) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Lisa (Jody) Rhodes of Paxton, Nebraska, Joe (Sharla) Dinneen of Exeter, Nebraska, Darrell (Beth) Dinneen of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Michael (Chris) Dinneen of Lincoln, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren, John R. (Victoria) Dinneen, Kristen (Andrew) Sievert, Matthew Dinneen, Ryan (Blair) Rhodes, Erica (Tyler) Turner, Brandon, Amanda, Jack, Lizzie, Tony, Luke, Colton, and Addy Dinneen; three great-grandchildren, Annelise Dinneen, and Rhett and Callie Turner; sister Mary Cashin of Lincoln, Nebraska; and many cherished friends.
A Funeral Mass for J.J. was held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Father Steve Thomlison was the Celebrant. Agnes Anderson was the organist accompanying Cantor Greg Rehm in “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” “One Bread, One Body,” and “Alleluia! Alleluia! Let The Holy Anthem Rise.” Lizzie Dinneen also sang “Ave Maria” a cappella.
Pallbearers for the service included John R. Dinneen, Ryan Rhodes, Brandon Dinneen, Tony Dinneen, Matthew Dinneen, Jack Dinneen, Colton Dinneen, and Luke Dinneen. Honorary Pall Bearers included Vern Kittinger, Mark Haley, and Dick Drommond. Interment was held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Mass. Farmer Funeral Home of Exeter conducted the services and online condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Exeter Fire & Rescue, or York Adopt-A-Pet.
