Graveside Services for John W. Block, 76yrs, of Atkinson, Nebraska will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, April 8, 2019, at the Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Bazile Mills, NE. Pastor  Leif Hasskarl will officiate. John passed away on Friday, April 05, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society in Atkinson, NE. Biglins Mortuary of O'Neill, NEis in charge of arrangements.

John W. Block was born in Norfolk, Nebraska on August 8, 1942 to Carl and Irma (Reimer) Block. He grew up on a farm northeast of Creighton, Nebraska and graduated from Creighton High School in 1960.

After high school John was drafted into United States Army during the Vietnam War. He completed Basic Training at Fort Lewis in Washington and went on to complete Combat Medic Training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. He was stationed in Pleiku, Vietnam and the Central Highlands. John completed his military service obligation at the U.S. Army Hospital in Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1967.

Upon returning home from the service, John attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska and received his BA Degree in Education.

He married Shirley Lamphier on June 26, 1970 at Golgotha Lutheran Church in Wausa, Nebraska. To this union a son Gary was born. The family moved to Atkinson, Nebraska in 1980.  John worked for Olson industries in Atkinson for many years.

John was a long- time member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atkinson where he served in different positions.  In his free time John enjoyed reading, learning about history and science, and bird watching.  Giving blood was very important to John and over his lifetime he donated gallons of blood to the Red Cross.

John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Block, son Gary Block, both of Atkinson, NE, three brothers; Bruce Block and wife Svetlana of Puyallup, WA, David Block of Foster, NE, Roger Block and wife Gail of Verdigre, NE and nieces, nephew, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Irma (Reimer) Block.