Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 1 Aug 2007 Ruben Robert Johannes, 79, of Scottsbluff died Monday, July 30, 2007 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 3, at Fairview Cemetery with Pastor Richard Neugebauer officiating. The Nebraska National Guard and the United States Marine Corps will give military rites. Memorial gifts may be given to the Western Nebraska Veteran's Home. Friends may call at the funeral home between 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 2. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com. Ruben was born March 23, 1928, in Mitchell to Phillip and Anna (Heinbichner) Johannes. He graduated from Sunflower High School and was a member of the state champion basketball team. He entered the U. S. Marine Corps Aug. 24, 1948 and served during the Korean Conflict. He received the Korean Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, United Nations Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. Ruben was honorably discharge April 1, 1959. He returned to Scottsbluff where he farmed for a few years. He married Nettie Sterkel May 15, 1962, in Torrington, Wyo. They moved to Omaha where he worked at the Omaha Stockyards and irrigation company before owning and managing his own janitorial service company. He retired in 1995 and returned to Scottsbluff. Ruben is survived by his stepchildren, Jack Sterkel, Pat and Rolland Friend all of Scottsbluff, Laurie Gitschell of Illinois and Janice and Reinhardt Rahmig of Gering; 17 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nettie, brothers, Phillip, Willie, Jake, Ben, and Ed Johannes and sisters, Rose Derr and Marie Keller.