NEXT
(0)
   +1
While the new inductees in the Ewing Hall of Fame have led varied lives, common themes of family businesses, community involvement and outstanding athletic endeavors serve as the basis for their inclusion. Edward (Butch) Rotherham was born March 1, 1946, to Roy and Ann Rotherham. Ask about his childhood, Butch will weave stories around the tables, customers and family at the Green Lantern. After graduating from Ewing Public School in 1964, Butch served in the Army from 1967 to 1969. Carol Ann Peter grew up in O'Neill. The daughter of Cyril and Mary, Carol attended St. Mary's School and graduated with the class of 1967. She worked at O'Neill National Bank from 1967 to 1970. Butch and Carol met on July 11, 1969, and exactly one year later, were united in marriage at St. Patrick's Church. Butch started Rotherham Tire Service in 1969 and operated the Main Street business until he retired in 2017. He is an active member of St. Peter de Alcantara Catholic Church. Butch serves as a lector and assists with Mass. For 54 years, he's been active in Sanders American Legion Post 214. Butch can often be found assisting with the Memorial Day program, as a member of the color guard. Anyone wanting to learn about Ewing history will pay a visit to Butch, who is considered the Ewing historian. He has a large collection of local historical memorabilia and information that he preserves and shares. During the village's sesquicentennial, the Rotherhams displayed much of the history collection in the former Spittler building. Since 1970, Carol has been a dedicated member of Christian Mothers at St. Peter's Church. For several years, Carol shared her love for gardening with customers at Shamrock Nursery in O'Neill. The couple has six children, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ewing's next Hall of Fame Award was presented to Norma Gibson Fry. Norma was born in Scottsbluff on June 4, 1932, to Alvin and Margaret Gibson. The family relocated to Neligh soon after. Five years later, brother Keith entered the world on Sept. 8, in Neligh. In 1941, when World War II began, the Gibson family moved to Addison, Illinois, where their parents zworked in the defense industry. Alvin worked in a Buick plant where airplane motors were made. After the end of the war, the Gibsons moved back to Antelope County and, in 1949, Al purchased the Ewing drugstore, so the family moved to Ewing. Norma graduated from Ewing Public Schools in 1950. She married Wayne Fry on May 20, 1950, and the couple made their home on the farm east of Ewing. The Frys raised both registered and commercial Holsteins. They had five children: Julie, Jody, Jane, Kevin and Kent. Norma still resides on the family farm and enjoys working with her flowers. Keith Gibson was a standout athlete at Ewing Public Schools. He broke the Nebraska All Class record in the 440-yard dash, with a time of 50.9 seconds. At the time, Ewing tracksters trained on a sand and dirt track. His success on the track led to him to another title in 1955, Norfolk Area Athlete of the Year. Keith enlisted in the Army from 1956 to 1958. On June 13, 1959, he married Elizabeth Schindler, and the couple worked on a ranch near Stanton during that summer. That September, the couple moved to Omaha, where Keith worked at Continental Can until his retirement. The couple had three children: Terri, Kurt and Ann. Keith died in 2005 and is buried in the Chambers cemetery.
| |||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to the discussion.
| |||||||
| Tags | Hall of Fame |
|---|