Nola Blanche Appleyard, 87, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2003, at the Hillcrest Nursing Home, McCook, NE. She was born April 24, 1915, in Simela, CO, the daughter of the late Harry Valentine and Myrtle (Bales) Stone. At an early age, Nola's family moved to McCook, NE, where she grew up and graduated from McCook Senior High School. She attended McCook Jr. College and began teaching rural school in Frontier County, NE.
On Aug. 12, 1940, Nola married Oliver James Appleyard in McCook, NE. They made their home in Curtis, NE, where her husband owned and operated Appleyard's Standard Oil station and fuel delivery service for 28 years. They moved to McCook in 1969.
Nola was a 60 year member of United Methodist Church, an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed many crafts and oil painting.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver, on Oct. 16, 1993; one brother, Dick Stone; and three sisters - Alice Conrad, Mala Thornley and Elfie Weaver.
Nola is survived by three daughters - Marilyn Johnson and husband, Earl - Curtis, NE, Janet Newcomb and husband, Paul "Dow" - Cambridge, NE, and Judy Mercer and companion, Paul Paz - McCook, NE; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers - Lloyd Stone and wife, Mary - El Dorado Springs, Roger Stone - Nevada, and Larry Stone and wife, Rhonda - Hays, KS; three sisters - Norma Moore and husband, Russ - Delta, Co, Laura Stuck and husband, Waine - McCook, NE, and Clara Simeon - Grand Island, NE; and other relatives and friends.
Services were held Tuesday, April 22, in the Memorial United Methodist Church, McCook, NE, with Rev. Dr. Jef¬fery Thurman officiating. Musical selections, "How Great Thou Art" and " I Know Who Holds Tomorrow," were provided by Dex and Janelle Petersen accompanied by organist Marie Coffey. Pallbearers were Bryan Newcomb, Matt Newcomb, Dex Petersen, Rod Reppening, Mike Hinson and Paul Paz. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook, NE.
