John Neil Ferguson

John Neil Ferguson passed away on February 1, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.

John was born July 24,1940 in Hamburg, Iowa; the youngest child of Wilma (McKissick) and Dudley Ferguson. He grew up in Hamburg and graduated from Hamburg High School in 1958. 

After graduation, John worked at Interstate Nurseries, Max Moore Painting, and Douglas Oil Station. He then went on to work at Crown Line Plastics in Nebraska City for 49 years where he started on the production line and retired as the company’s General Manager.  

On June 11, 1961 John married the love of his life, Hallie Cully. Together they raised 2 daughters.

John loved his community and found many ways to actively show his support. He was a volunteer firefighter for 33 years. He was a member of The Masonic Lodge for many years. John served on the city council, on the Hamburg Public Library board, the United Trinity Church board and was a member of Hamburg’s Hometown Pride. In addition, he was a founding member of the Hamburg Chapter of Teammates, mentoring for 13 years.

For many years he wrote recaps of the Hamburg High School football games, often referred to as, “The Football Stories”. Once his daughters graduated, he began writing the beloved, “Rambling With Fergie” articles, recounting his everyday observations, and “Rebuilding the ‘Burg”.

Together with his wife he received the Community Service Award in 2013, and in 2022 they were honored as the Popcorn Day Parade Grand Marshals. 

John was not only a loving husband and father, but a well rounded individual. He had many hobbies and interests from music to sports, traveling to reading, and even enjoying his favorite television shows. But what he loved most was people.

Survivors include: wife, Hallie, daughters, Deena (Thomas) Henderson of Council Bluffs, IA, Marla (Tony) Benjamin of Riverview, FL, Step-Grandson, Jordan Benjamin of Omaha, NE, sister, Kaye Bishop and husband, Jim of Georgetown, TX, brother, Cliff Ferguson of Hamburg, IA, sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Charlie) Clary, Fort Calhoun, NE, Dixie Osborne, Fountain, CO, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents, Henry and Louise Cully, sister-in-law, Donna Huntley and brother-in-law, Jay O. Cully.

Memorials may be directed to Hamburg Fire and Rescue or Hamburg Teammates. 

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