John F. Borges, 72
John F. Borges, age 72, of Dalton, Nebraska, passed away at his home on Monday, August 15, 2022. His Memorial Service was held on August 24, 2022, at United Church of the Plains in Dalton with Pastor Leon “Bud” Gillespie officiating. Inurnment followed at the Dalton Cemetery with honors rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard, the Mintken- Davison American Legion Post #301 Honor Guard, and the Dalton Volunteer Fire Department. Memorials can be made in John’s name to the Dalton Volunteer Fire Department or the Dalton Rescue Unit.Services will be recorded for later viewing on the Gehrig-Stitt Facebook page. You may view John’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel. com. John was born on February 11, 1950, at Dalton, NE, to Franklin and Helen (Schuler) Borges. He graduated from Dalton High School in 1968 and earned an Associates Degree in Welding and Metallurgy from Milford Vo- Tech School. John helped on the farm and formed Borges Brothers, farming and ranching with his brothers.
On February 14, 1971, John was united in marriage to Diana Cruise (a date that was easy for him to remember). John served Uncle Sam in the United States Army starting on August 9, 1971, completing his basic training at Fort Ord in California. He spent 18 months in Panama and 12 months at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before being honorably discharged on August 8, 1974, the day that President Nixon resigned (John always said “I guess I was too much for him.”). John returned to farming and ranching with his two brothers, Bill and Larry, until Larry’s death in 1991 and Bill’s death in 2010.
He farmed and ranched on his own until his retirement in 2015.
John and Diana were blessed with two sons: Chad, who was born in 1975, and Ryan, who followed in 1977. The couple moved into Dalton in 2017 after purchasing a home there in 2016 and remodeling it.
John was a member of the Dalton Volunteer Fire Department since 1979, having served as an EMT on the Rescue Squad until 2016. He was proud to serve alongside Chad and Ryan on the Fire Department and Rescue Unit for many years.
John’s hobbies included spending time with this grandchildren, camping, hunting, and fishing.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diana; son Chad and his fiancé Billie and their children: Taylor, Mayson, Logan, Morgan, Hunter, Cooper, and Casey; son Ryan and his wife Krystal and their children: Jonathan, Kaleb, and Aubrianna; sisters- in-law Sharon Borges and Cheryl Borges; brother-in-law Mark Cruise; special friend John Gipfert; and numerous, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, father- in-law, and mother-in-law.