John Luft, 45, died Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care Services in Grand Island, NE.

 John David Luft was born on Oct. 11 1966 in Grand Island to Melra and Caroline Luft.  He graduated from Alliance High School in 1984 then attended Chadron State College studying pre-med.  He joined the Army and was a combat medic and served in the National Guard until he was diagnosed with MS.  John worked as a welder for Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus NE.

 John loved NASCAR, going to concerts, hunting, and fishing.  He also loved spending time with his nephews, nieces, and his many friends.

 John’s dogs Sydney and Oreo were his children because John didn’t want to take a chance of passing on MS.

 John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emma and Lyle Enyeart and Ray and Mabel Luft and his nephew Joseph Buresh.

 He is survived by father, Melra (Lana) Luft, mother,  Caroline (Don) O’Berg , brother, Rick Luft (Jennifer Milosich), his sisters,  Heidi Evans and Carmel Lowry (Jeff), He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Iana Luft, Beth Ellis, Tyler Evans, Chaz Buresh, Trevor Evans, Austin Klug-Luft, Dakota Andreasen, Bailey Klug-Luft, Cassina Klug-Luft, Jeffrey Wheelock, Stevie Andreasen, Kayla Milosich, Tate Luft and great Nieces Addison Reed and Aurora Ellis.

 Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Reverend Tom Lucas officiating.  Burial will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 3-7 at the funeral home.

 A memorial has been established for the VA Hospice Unit and may be sent in care of VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care Systems, Attn. Heidi Swenson, 2201 N. Broadwell, Grand Island, NE  68803 or the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance, P.O. Box 718, Alliance, NE  69301.

 Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com