Frank M. Dineen, 96 of Kearney passed away Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Brookestone Gardens in Kearney. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney with Father Charles Torpey and Father Art Faesser presiding. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post #52, VFW Post #759 in conjunction with the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church followed by a 7:00 p.m. Vigil/Prayer service.
Memorials are suggested to St. James Catholic Church, Kearney American Legion, or CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.
Frank was born August 15, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska to Frank M Dineen Sr. and Esther C. (Wilson) Dineen. He grew up in Omaha and graduated from Creighton Prep High School in 1944. Frank was united in marriage to Bernadine Grace Flaherty on September 5, 1951 in Omaha. He joined the Navy as a Seaman June 20, 1944 for World War II. He was honorable discharged from the US Navy on May 29, 1946. He served in the Asiatic Pacific receiving the Victory Medal and Purple Heart, while fighting in the Battle of Okinawa. Frank attended Creighton University from 1946-1947 majoring in pre law before joining the Nebraska Safety Patrol in October 17, 1949, which later became the Nebraska State Patrol. He retired from the State Patrol January 3, 1979 after winning the election for Buffalo County Sheriff. He was sheriff from 1979 to 1991. He continued to work for the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department doing prisoner transport and court security until 1999 in which he retired completely after 50 years in law enforcement. He continued to work as a security officer for Kearney State Bank from 2000 to 2013.
Frank was a member of the St. James Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Kearney Elk’s, Kearney Shriners – Clown unit as the Keystone Cop, Golden Kiwanis, Kearney Volunteer Fire Department and a Good Samaritan Hospital Volunteer.
He enjoyed model airplanes and wood working. He was known for his dedication to the community, Catholic beliefs, stories and joke telling. He was an advocate and mentor for young adults seeking careers in law enforcement. Frank volunteered for many organizations in the community. He always had a smile and was a friend to everyone. He was known for saying when people would ask him how he was; he would respond with…â€Practically Perfect.â€
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Katy Oelkers of Kearney, Peggy Davidson of Omaha; grandchildren, Brandon Ernst of Omaha, Keely (partner, Scott) Ernst of Omaha, McKenna (fiance’, Nick Ferderer) Oelkers of Bellambi, New South Wales Australia, Michael Davidson of Nashville, TN, Brigette (Nick) Morgan of Lincoln; great grandson, Theodore Francis Morgan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernadine Grace Flaherty Dineen; son, Patrick Michael Dineen; sister, Martha Dineen Boardman. |