Calvin Lee “Cal” Anthony, 75 years of age of Peoria, Arizona, formerly of Wilber, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at the Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital in Glendale, Arizona, after a short fight with Covid-19.
Cal was born at home in Wilber on Aug. 5, 1945, the eighth child of Joseph and Alma (Osterthun) Anthony. He attended Wilber Public Schools and graduated from Wilber High School in 1963. Following graduation, he moved to Lincoln and worked in the testing labs for the State of Nebraska. He served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1964.
In 1967, he entered the Sheet Metal Workers Union apprenticeship program, where he worked in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Arizona, for more than 40 years. On June 29, 1974, Cal was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Donna Sue Lanman, at the United Methodist Church in Wilber. This union was blessed with three daughters – Amy Jo, Callee Sue and Sara Danielle. The family made their home in Wilber until 1987, when they moved to Phoenix, Arizona.
After retiring, Cal and Donna took a cross-country trip in their RV, made trips to Hawaii and Alaska as well as many, many trips to Nebraska to visit family and friends. On June 29, 2020, the couple celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.
Cal was a loving family man. He was a devoted husband and father, who enjoyed attending all of his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He was also a resourceful man, capable of building, fixing and restoring anything. Cal enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends as well as woodworking and collecting Nebraska and historical memorabilia. Calvin was an easy-going guy who made friends easily and was well-respected.
Cal was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Kenneth Lanman; two brothers, Von Anthony and Richard Anthony; a sister, Maryann Warner; a brother-in-law, David Warner; and three sisters-in-law, Marilyn Anthony, Laura Anthony and Barbara Lanman.
Cal leaves to celebrate his life, his wife of 46 years, Donna Anthony of Peoria; three daughters, Amy Jo Anthony and Callee Escobar and her husband, Anthony, both of Glendale, Arizona, and Sara Reynolds and her husband, John, of Phoenix; seven grandchildren, Caleb, Emma, Alma, Levi, Selman, Mason and Antonia; his mother-in-law, Berniece Lanman of Alma; four brothers, Verne Anthony of Wilber, Joyce Anthony of North Platte, Gale Anthony and his wife, Adell, of Elkhorn, and Gary Anthony and his wife, Jan, of Omaha, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
A graveside service and interment was Nov. 3 at the Alma Cemetery. An additional memorial service to be in Wilber in the summer of 2021. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family, to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
