John J. Horan, 82, Nebr. City

John J. Horan

March 17, 2026Updated: March 17, 2026
By Funeral Directors

John Joseph Horan, 82, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, passed away on March 15, 2026.

John was born on March 4, 1944, in Kearney, Nebraska, to Louis and Verda (Porterfield) Horan. He grew up in Heartwell, Nebraska, with sisters Anne, Eva, Laura, and Phyllis. John graduated from Minden High School in 1962. He went on to attend Creighton University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business. He then received a Juris Doctorate from the Nebraska College of Law.

John married Janice Horan of Minden, Nebraska in 1967, with the couple celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary on September 2, 2025.

John served in the U.S. Army for 35 years, first as a member of the JAG Corps, 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from 1969 to 1973, then in the Army Reserves from 1973 to 2004. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

John practiced law in Nebraska City for nearly 50 years, as a partner in the firm of Brandt, Horan, Hallstrom & Stilmock. His practice ranged from trial work to taxes & estate planning.

John was an avid sports fan who loved to root for the Huskers, Yankees, Raiders, and Royals. He was a movie buff with a penchant for classic Westerns. John also enjoyed firearms, hunting, and fishing. But his greatest passion in life was spending time with his family. John rarely missed any event involving his kids and/or grandkids.

John is survived by his wife, Janice Horan; his children, John (Tina) Horan and Mark (Jill) Horan; his grandchildren, Jordan Horan, Jessi Horan, Austin (Julie) Horan, Katie (Andrew) Smith, and Lainey Horan; his great-grandchildren, Zeke Horan and Jace Horan, and his sisters, Anne (Jerry) Runyan, Eva Horan, Laura (Jack) Jacobson, and Phyllis Newman.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Gude Funeral Chapel, 403 South 9th Street, Nebraska City. Funeral services on Friday, March 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Gude, followed by a luncheon at Table Creek, 5633 I Road, Nebraska City.