(Al) John Alfred Walsh

Al (John Alfred) Walsh, 80 of Ponca passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, November 1, 2008.Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca, Nebraska with Father David Liewer offciating. Burial was in Calvary at Southcreek Cemetery in rural Ponca with military rites conducted by the Norfolk National Guard Color Guard, assisted by the Ponca American Legion Post 117.Al was born on July 11, 1928 in rural Marinsburg, Nebraska to Edward P. and Mary M. (Harney) Walsh. He attended grade school at Southcreek District 8 and high school at Ponca Public School, graduating in 1945. After high school Al farmed with his Dad on the Harney and Walsh land. He joined the U.S. Army in February 1951 where he served in Germany during the Korean Conflict as a Supply Sergeant. He was Honorably Discharged in February, 1953.On April 21, 1955, he married the love of his life, Josephine Kneifl. They were the first couple married at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Newcastle. Al and Jo continued to farm and together raised five children on the Martinsburg road. In 1973 the family moved to "Harry Millie's" house in Ponca. Even though Al was a country boy at heart, his family came first, so they moved to "the best location in town, across from the church and school".He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's and St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Ponca American Legion Post 117 and the Martinsburg VFW. He was a true Irishman, loved his tractors, enjoyed going to cattle sales and had natural talent for predicting the weight of the livestock - even winning a few bets. He also loved sports, dancing, playing pool and spending time with his family and friends. One of his favorite things to do was visit the ocean and watch the waves crash onto the shore.Survivors include his wife, Josephine of Ponca; children, Nancy and Scott Brady of Ankeny, Iowa; Bev and Armond Dube of Fairbanks, Alaska, Tom and Nancy Walsh of Ponca, Nebraska, Peg and Jess Padilla of Moorpark, Califoria and Trudy and Sam DeGeorge of Omaha, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren, Christy, Amy, Becky and Steve Brady, Donell Dube, Dawn and her husband, Ryan Rohan, Mat and Kim Walsh, Maddie and Joey Padilla, Jessica and Sabrina DeGeorge; two great-grandchildren, Lane and Aspen; one brother, Lawrence Walsh of Downey, California; many nieces and nephews.Al was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Irving Walsh; one great aunt Agnes Harney.Al never knew a stranger. He enjoyed talking to everyone and loved writing in his famous notebook. Al was a good man with a big heart, and had a very strong faith. He was perhaps sometimes misunderstood, but aren't we all.