Vernon Duane Roberts, 77, of Grand Island died after a lengthy illness, July 28, 2012 surrounded by family at the Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 4, 2012, at Trinity Methodist Church in Grand Island. There will be no visitation per Vernon's wishes to be cremated. The Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Vernon was born on August 13, 1934 at Albion, NE to Elmer and Minta Marie (Pike) Roberts. He grew up most in Grand Island graduating from Senior High in 1952. He was united in marriage to Sally Nutter on August 20, 1954 at Trinity Methodist Church in Grand Island. Afterwhich the couple lived in Grand Island, Fort Riley, KS, Omaha, NE, Casper, WY, Denver, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, Mesa, AZ, and Frankfurt, Germany.
He entered the army on December 1955 until 1960. He was honorably discharged having served as a helicopter and fixed wing aircraft pilot. Vernon also worked for the city engineer of Grand Island, Peter Kewit of Omaha, American Nuclear of Casper Wyoming, 2 years college at Lincoln East, and Johnson Cashway were he drew plans for many houses in Grand Island.
He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard, Grand Island Gun Club. His hobbies included collecting military items, hunting, and football.
He is survived by his wife, the love of his life of 58 years, Sally; sons, James Roberts of Phoenix, AZ, Jeffrey Roberts of Grand Island, NE; daughters, Linda Roberts of Grand Island, NE, Cathy (Jamie) Wells of Grand Island, NE; 6 grandchildren, Brandonn Roberts (Amber Dalke) of Grand Island, NE, Jennifer Jensen (Mike Celetono) of Grand Island, NE, Jessica Jensen (Louis Vasques) of Grand Island, NE, Jeffery Griggs of CA, Robert Potier of PA, Ronald Potier of PA; 9 great-grandchildren,  brothers-in-law, Ben (Alice) Wilkie of WI, David (Sue) Nutter of Lincoln, NE, John Nutter o WA; sisters-in-law, Cindy (Mark) Thomsen of Grand Island, NE, Barb (Tom) Townsley of Grand Island, NE, Betty (Bob) Niedfelt of Grand Island, NE, DeeDee (Fred) Salmon of Aurora, NE, Robin (Arthur) Roland of Grand Island, NE, and Pams Lyons of MO.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Diana Roberts; and oldest son Michael Roberts in 2005.