Alvin L. Gordan

Alvin L. Gordan, age 77 of Bradshaw, died Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at York. Alvin was born on a farm northeast of Bradshaw on October 22, 1926 to Alvin C. and Etta H. (Edmunds) Gordan. He attended Bradshaw High School and graduated in 1944. He then attended the University of Nebraska for one semester before being drafted into the US Navy and served 2 years during WW II. Following his discharge he attended Nebraska Wesleyan where he completed his college degree. Alvin married Irma Elizabeth Kotas on June 5, 1949 at Milligan, NE. Al taught school for a year at Meadow Grove and then joined Bonsall Pool Co. in Grand Island. Then in 1977 he joined his brother Bill in York Oliver Sales until his retirement in 1995. Al was a member of the Bradshaw United Methodist Church, Bradshaw Volunteer Fireman (over 27 years) and had been a member of the Bradshaw Village Board. He was also very active in the Hampton Masonic Lodge #245, Soloman Chapter #33 Royal Arch Masons, Naomi Chapter #26 in Geneva and Jappa Commandry #17 Knights Templar of York. He had been the head of all these Masonic groups and received the Knight York Cross of Honor in 1976. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Shrine and the York County Historical Assn. Alvin kept the records and was active in the Bradshaw Alumni Assn and the Plainfield Cemetery Board.

Alvin is survived by his wife Beth of Bradshaw; 2 daughters, Joyce (Jim) Campbell of Lincoln and Patricia (David) Collister of Dwight; son James Gordan of Bradshaw; grandchildren, Mark and Nicole Bergen, Liz Bogen, Melanie and her husband Dan Collister-Foulk, Brian and Cody Campbell, John, Jayme and MaKenzie Gordan; great-grandchildren Anya and Sean Bogen; sister-in-law Elisa Gordan and her son (nephew) William B. Gordan of Jacksonville, Fl; sisters & brother-in-laws, Jean & Lee Holtmeier of Grand Island and Mary Ann & Roger Rut of Lincoln; many other nieces & nephews.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 16, 2004 at 10:00 am at the Bradshaw United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brian Kottas officiating. Burial with military honors was at the Plainfield Cemetery west of Bradshaw. Memorials may be directed to the Bradshaw First United Methodist Church or to the Bradshaw Fire Department.