John A. Edney

Born December 6, 1923 in his family home in the Benson neighborhood, in Omaha, Nebraska. The youngest of five children, his father died when John was five years old. In spite of hardships, the family home was full of books which inspired a lifelong love of learning. His oldest sisters studied hard, skipping grades to finish high school early in order to work to support the family during the Great Depression. Because of these early experiences, John gained an appreciation for the value of education, particularly the education of young women.



The Edney family were lifelong members of Holy Name Parish, which they continue to support. John spent many hours there in classes as a grade school and high school student, and an altar server. Upon graduation from Holy Name High School he entered Creighton University but left early to join the Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II.



Early in his military career, recognized for his intellect and leadership qualities, the military sent him to Valley Forge Military Academy and then on to officer’s training school at Yale University. In War II, he participated in the D-Day Invasion, Normandy, and in subsequent battles. He was awarded the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with six bronze stars, along with the WWII Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. John left the service as a captain in 1948 and started his family. Later in life he attended many 315th Troop Carrier Division reunions, rekindling old friendships and bringing family along to experience the love and pride he felt in serving our country.



John worked as an insurance adjuster for eight years and was known for his investigative talents and his problem-solving abilities. In the mid 60’s he purchased Elkhorn Insurance Agency, housed in the Bank of Elkhorn, and became a Vice-President of the bank. He enjoyed the challenges of both the insurance and financial world right up until his death.



John encouraged his five children to follow in his footsteps by striving for excellence and remaining disciplined. Their accomplishments were a source of great pride for him.



He never forgot the women in his family who emotionally and financially supported him and his family, those who sacrificed to ensure that he had a good education. John supported the mission of the Servants of Mary (Servites) Religious Community, most specifically Marian High School, serving as President of the Marian Board in the 60’s, and financially supporting many of their building initiatives over the years. In 2011, he was honored as a recipient of the Marian Award. And later, once again was chosen to be the first to receive the Servite Community’s Servant Leadership Award.



John is survived by his five children, James (Deborah), John (Patricia), Mary Lynn Schwietz (Gregory), Joseph (deceased) and Joanne (David Corray), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and wife, Mary Jane Edney.