Gary D McChesney

Gary McChesney, 86, of Hastings passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones.

Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2026, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Hastings, NE, with Father Craig Clinch officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Hastings, NE. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 1:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m at Butler Volland Funeral Home in Hastings, NE. Family will be present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for future designation. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Gary’s obituary and click the play button shown toward the bottom of the page. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Gary was born at home on June 21, 1940 to Percy and Eunice (Evans) McChesney of Indianola Nebraska. He graduated from Indianola Public High School. During the Vietnam war, Gary was drafted into the US Army and served his country at Fort Hood Texas. After completing his military service, Gary worked as a beekeeper, traveling throughout the midwest on a combine crew, eventually working for the highway department of South Dakota.

While attending a dance in February 1969, Gary met his lifelong love, Janice. Gary impressed her with his polite demeanor, sense of humor, and impressive dance moves. The couple married on December 26, 1969 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ipswich South Dakota.

Gary and Janice initially made their home in Hosmer, South Dakota for 7 years before relocating to Hastings Nebraska where Gary began his career at NC+ Hybrids seed corn company where he worked for over 20 years. Between Hosmer and Hastings, the couple welcomed 5 children, all with names beginning with the letter "J" as Gary had planned.

On December 26, 1997 Gary and Janice had a big party to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary. Family and friends had a wonderful time enjoying food, drinks, music and dancing, with Gary dancing the most of all! Two days later life changed dramatically for the McChesney family as Gary suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and became permanently disabled at the age of 57. After 4 brain surgeries, several months of rehab, and the countless prayers and assistance of family and friends, Gary was able to return to his home. Gary was no longer able to enjoy most of his favorite pastimes; camping, hunting, fishing, and of course dancing. He was able to eventually relearn how to drive and could take himself on short outings about town. He especially enjoyed going to Walmart, where he had an ever-expanding social circle.

Gary experienced a great deal of joy from visits with family and friends. He enjoyed Husker sports and never tired of watching his Western's, no matter how many times he had seen them. With assistance, he was fortunate to enjoy numerous trips. His favorites were an Alaskan cruise and a trip to Destin, Florida.

Gary loved spending time on his deck watching and feeding his "pets"; the birds and squirrels that would come to dine on the corn he had shucked for them. He was a perfectionist about his yard and was truly in his element riding around on his mower, maintaining his lovely lawn.

Grateful for having shared his life, Gary’s survivors include his wife of 56 ½ years, Janice, his children, Julie Smith, Kansas City, Jason (Andrea) Mineola, IA, Jody (Eric) Uden, Kenesaw, Jeffrey (Jennifer), Omaha, and Joshua (Phoenix). Family includes his beloved grandchildren: Zachary Smith, Hannah (Antonio Barroso) Smith, Connor (Ashley) Lewis, Kaeden Lewis, Molly and Margaret McChesney, Isaiah McChesney, Samuel Uden, Madeline, Anna, Lillian, Sara, and Hazel McChesney, and two great grandsons Ciaran and Bennett Lewis. Gary was also happily anticipating the arrival of his first great granddaughter who is expected in October. Surviving sisters-in-law include: Marian Krumm, Barbara Hoerner, Evelyn (Ray) Schmidt, Carol (Niel) Haar, Kathy (Toby) Wolf, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gary looked forward to heaven and reuniting with loved ones that had preceded him in death, these included three babies lost in pregnancy, his parents Percy and Eunice McChesney, mother and father-in law Alfred and Edith Baus; brothers: Lavern, Bill, Leroy, and Elois. Sisters: Helen Williams, Mildred Rector, Lora Premer, and Alice Rawlins; Brothers-in law Adolf Krumm and Paul Hoerner.

Gary was a faithful parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. The family would like to thank the volunteers who stayed with Gary so that Janice could attend mass, Fr. Clinch, the Eucharistic ministers, and those parishioners who visited or remembered Gary in prayer during his final days. Thanks, are also extended to his many wonderful neighbors, especially Matt and Jennifer and family and John and Diane for your many acts of kindness over the years. Finally, the family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Gary's Hospice "angels" Amber and Stephanie who helped Gary meet his end with kindness, gentleness, and a healthy dose of humor in the comfort and peace of the home he loved so much.