Thomas Ferneau

Thomas Roseland Ferneau was born on October 6, 1942 to Clark Stuart Ferneau and Wolena Mariea (Roseland) Pritchett in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thomas graduated from Toledo High School in Toledo, Iowa.

Thomas married Melody Hartzer in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 25, 1983. To this union they were blessed with two children, Elliott and Constance, and in the summer of 1993 the family moved to Culbertson, Nebraska where they continue to live.

Thomas served as a cryptologist in the United States Navy for 20 years. Once retired, he worked as an outside sales rep for Allwoods, Tubs and Monarch Tile in Albuquerque. After moving to Nebraska, he worked for Frenchman Valley Ditch Co., Kildare Lumber and later worked at the Village of Culbertson until his retirement.

Thomas was a volunteer for the Culbertson Fire Department for many years. He always enjoyed the occasional game of horseshoes and pool. He especially loved traveling to see relatives and friends and attending the grandkids’ numerous activities. He could always be found at his “happy place”, his backyard enjoying a tea or a beer while enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

Thomas passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska. He was 83 years of age.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Conrad and Richard Ferneau; brother-in-law, Orla Davis; sister-in-law, Barbara Ferneau and father-in-law, Harold “Duce” Hartzer.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Melody Hartzer Ferneau of Culbertson, Nebraska; children, Jeff Ferneau of Windsor, California, Marc (Laura March) Ferneau of St. Helena, California, Elliott (Heather Shields) Ferneau of McCook and Constance (Jason) Stone of McCook; sister, Colleen Davis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister-in-law, Vivien

Ferneau of Martinsburg, West Virginia, brother, Dennis (Kathy) Ferneau of Tama, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Yancey (Janell) Hartzer of Culbertson and Tony (Barb) Hartzer of Central Point, Oregon; mother-in-law, Beth Ann Hartzer of McCook; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many many special nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday morning, October 3, 2026 at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. A celebration of life will be held at the Hitchcock County Fairgrounds at 6:00 PM, Saturday evening, October 3, 2026. Committal services with full military honors will be held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska on October 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

Memorials are suggested to the family of Thomas Ferneau for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.