Philip D. "Jesse" Armstrong

Philip David "Jesse" Armstrong, 64, of Ponca, NE passed away at his residence on Friday, April 22, 2011.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca, NE with Father David Liewer officiating. Burial will be in Calvary at South Creek Cemetery in rural Ponca with military rites conducted by the Ponca American Legion Post 117 and the Norfolk National Guard. Visitation will begin at the church at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences may be sent at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Phil was born in Ponca, NE on February 19, 1947, the son of Gerald and Frances (Kneifl) Armstrong. He graduated from Ponca High School in 1965, prior to serving in the Army for two years in Vietnam. He married Jolane Kopal in Sioux City, IA on November 9, 1968. Phil farmed for 23 years. He also did custom farmwork, bridge and dam construction, and worked for Rush Trucking, Waldbaum's, and Day's Doors.He was an Eagle Scout and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 5435 and American Legion Post 117.Phil enjoyed John Deere tractors, traveling the U.S. with Jolane on a Goldwing motorcycle, visiting Ireland and Alaska, fishing, woodworking, reading true crime books, but most of all telling jokes.Survivors include his wife, Jolane Armstrong of Ponca, NE; four children, Greg Armstrong of Lincoln, NE, Paula (Troy) Peters of Ainsworth, NE, Dan Armstrong of Denver, CO, and Casey Armstrong of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Takota, Laura, Luke and David; brothers and sisters, Gary (Margarete) Armstrong and Pat Armstrong, all of Ponca, NE, Mary Armstrong of North Carolina, and Jeanne (Ed) Montgomery of Omaha, NE; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and Ginger and Susie.Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Frances; baby brother, James; in-laws, Joe Kopal, Bill Hildahl and Delores Kopal; and faithful dog, Tiny.