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Memorial services for Harland O. Johnson, age 86, will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the First Congregational Church, located at 370 Chadron Avenue in Chadron, NE, with Pastor Russ Seger officiating.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Nebraska Veteran’s Cemetery in Alliance, NE.

A memorial has been established for the American Legion Post #12 or the Dawes County Veteran’s Honor Guard in Chadron, NE.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Harland passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the Chadron Community Hospital in Chadron, NE. He was born July 16, 1930 in Spencer, NE to Oscar and Marguerite (Sandoz) Johnson and moved to the Sandhills in Sheridan County as a young child.

Harland entered into the U.S. Army on February 26, 1952. He completed basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Corporal Johnson was stationed in France and served with the 83^rd Engineer Construction Battalion as a heavy equipment operator that included the rebuilding of roads, bridges and air strips. He was awarded the National Defense service medal. He was released from active duty on February 6, 1954 and then transferred to the United States Army Reserve for the next 8 years.

On May 23, 1955, Harland married Lois J. Gilliam in Scottsbluff, NE. To this union, three children were born, Douglas, Shirley and Sharon.

Harland delivered fuel for Hempel’s for several years. On January 1, 1969 he opened Alliance Motors Unlimited and continued that business until his retirement on December 31, 1988.

Harland was a member of the American Legion for 40 years and Dawes County Veteran’s Honor Guard for many years in Chadron.

Harland is survived by wife Lois; daughters and sons-in-law Shirley (Richard) Sellman of Chadron, NE and Sharon (Joe) Starke of Alliance, NE; daughter-in-law Dianne Johnson of Alliance, NE; grandchildren Jamie (Matthew) Pope of Fayetteville, NC, Kayla (Cody) Green of Lincoln, NE, Michael (Mindie) Starke of Hay Springs, NE, and Tiffany (Don) McKain of Alliance, NE; and great-grandchildren Elizabeth Pope, Anistyn and Evelyn Green, Tailyn, Rayden and Brecken Starke, and Cameron McKain.

He was preceded in death by parents Oscar and Marguerite Johnson; siblings Virgil William and Opal Marguerite Johnson; parents-in-law Arlie and Vernona Gilliam; son Douglas Johnson; and great-granddaughter Adyson McKain.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Harland O. Johnson.