Donald E. Hoban

Hastings resident Donald E. Hoban, 81, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Community Living Center, in Grand Island, NE.

Services will be Friday, December 6 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Hastings with Father Craig Clinch officiating. Visitation with family will be at 9:30 a.m., Rosary following at 10:00. Mass will begin at 10:30 with burial following at Blue Valley Cemetery in Ayr. Memorials may be given to Wounded Warrior Family Support or Catholic Social Services. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Don’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Mr. Hoban was born on the Hoban farm outside of Heartwell, on September 4, 1943, to William and Evelyn (Beckius) Hoban. He graduated with the class of 1962 from Kenesaw High School proudly setting a long-standing school record in the mile. August 16, 1963, Don completed trade school in Omaha with a diploma in automobile mechanics. He served in the Army from 1964 to 1967 receiving training in emergency medical care and mechanics. He was stationed in Germany. On August 9, 1969, he married Cheryl Rutt at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hastings. Together they started their family in Kenesaw having two children, Patrick and Tiffany. 

While in Kenesaw, Don was the Fire Chief. They moved to Hastings in 1979. He was employed as a diesel mechanic with Fairbanks and later Titan, retiring on August 1, 2017, with over 50 years of experience specializing in Case International farm equipment. Don was a volunteer for the Hastings Rural Fire District fire department and was awarded 31 years of service on September 11, 2011. Don also was a long-time member of the VFW and an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree for over 30 years. Through the Knights of Columbus, Don and Cheryl were awarded Family of the Month in June 2012. He served on the Blue Valley Cemetery Association board for several years. Don was a faithful blood and platelet donor- donating over three gallons of blood. 

In Don’s spare time, he enjoyed restoring tractors and gardening. Don dedicated his life to helping others in need, often with his mechanic skill set or simply sharing his garden produce. Many friends, neighbors, and family will remember Don as Donnie or Hobie and remember his natural ability to predict the weather and his green thumb.

Mr. Hoban was preceded in death by his parents; wife Cheryl; son Patrick; three brothers Bill, Bob, and Jack; one brother-in-law Jim; and one sister-in-law Lois.

Survivors:
Daughter and Son-in-law:
    Tiffany & Bob Negley
Grandchildren:
    Seth Negley & Fiance Taylor
    Peyton & Chad Baumann
    Max Negley
    Carley Negley
Great-Grandchildren:
    Selah Baumann
    Baby Baumann
Sister:
    Mary Yant 
Brothers & Sisters-in-law:
    Mike and Jayne Hoban
    Paul and Sandy Hoban
Brothers-in-law & Sisters-in-law:
    Arlene Hoban 
    Patricia Hoban
    Charlene & Larry Lechner
    Jim & Rhonda Rutt
    Connie & Sam Samuelson
    Dan & Sue Rutt
Numerous Nieces, Nephews, & Cousins