The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | November 6, 2025

Memorial visitation for James R. Deaver, 81, of Wisner, will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner, NE.

James passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the Stanton Health Center.

James R. Deaver was born on December 23, 1943 in Kearney to Waldo and Carroll (Price) Deaver. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1962 and received his bachelor’s of science Degree from Kearney State College in 1967.

On May 28, 1967, James was united in marriage to Joan Dexter at Central City. He began teaching biology at Grand Island Northwest High School for one year, and at Superior High School for two years. James received an Academic Year Fellowship from the National Science Foundation to achieve his Masters of Natural Science Degree from the University of South Dakota in 1971.

James taught for seven years at Madison High School and then for twenty-five years at West Point Jr./Sr.

High School. Mr. Deaver was also an adjunct professor at Northeast Community College in Norfolk for nine years, retiring in 2013.

Over his career he was awarded: in 1969, Outstanding Young Educator by the Superior, NE Jaycees; in 1978, he had an article published in the American Biology Teachers magazine; in 1995 he received the SCI-MAT fellowship from National Science Foundation and Council for Basic Education for research on Black Elk Speaks and ecology; and in 1996, he was awarded the Access Excellence fellowship from the National Science Teachers Association.

James was a member of United Methodist Church of Christ in Wisner, belonged to the Nebraska State Education Association, and National Association of Biology Teachers. In his spare time, he enjoyed photographing nature, was an avid reader, and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Joan Deaver of Wisner; son, Jeffrey and Amy Deaver of Bloomington, Illinois and family Harrison (Allie) Deaver and son Wyatt, Abigail Deaver, Tori (Dane) Link and son Theodore, and Chloe Deaver; daughter, Jolene and Ken Svoboda of Wisner and family, Jessica Svoboda, Kayla Svoboda, and Megan Svoboda; as well as several nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Waldo and Carroll Deaver; half-sister, Betty Murray; sisters, Willadean Dodson and Deldee Brown; and a niece, Nikki Speer.