Rex L Ealy, age 91, of Moorefield, NE, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Rex was born December 24, 1924, to Harold and Ethel Ealy at Hastings, NE. He grew up on the family farm east of Moorefield, NE, and graduated from Farnam High School. Rex then joined the U.S. Army in 1944.

Following his discharge in 1946, Rex returned to Moorefield then moved to North Platte where he hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and worked as a Fireman for the next eight years.

On November 14, 1948, Rex was united in marriage to Dona Margaret Crewdson in North Platte. They later returned to Moorefield to live and work on the family farm. Rex was also a crop duster and owner of Ealy Spraying Service. He flew out of the Curtis Airport and sprayed fields throughout Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and North Dakota.

After retiring in 1985 Rex and Dona continued to live on the farm and wintered in Port Mansfield, TX for 24 years until 2008.

Rex was a member of the American Legion and Nebraska Aviation Trades Association. In his younger days he enjoyed hunting and later liked to fish in the Texas gulf.

He leaves behind his wife of nearly 68 years, Dona, of Moorefield; two daughters, Maurice (Kevin) Bortner, of Moorefield and Ann Ealy, of Omaha, NE; two grandchildren, Danielle (TJ) Harding and Heath (Hilary) Bortner; three great-grandchildren, Morgan and Donna Jean Harding and Barrett Bortner; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ethel; and two sisters, Jeanette Garner and Pauline Messersmith.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of the arrangements.