John Edward Lehning, Lt. Colonel (Retired) USAF

John Edward Lehning, Lt. Colonel (Retired) USAF

July 16, 1935 – July 24, 2022

Preceded in death by sons, Donald Wayne Lehning and Stephen John Lehning; parents, Roseann and Chester Donald Lehning.  Survived by Maggie Lehning; sisters, Ann Johnson and Cathy Reiker (Charles), children: Deborah Ann Valdes (Tony), Trisha Marie Lehning, Adrianne Lescanic (Michael); grandchildren: Misty Gochenour (Alan), Tony Banuchi (Aly), Gina Marie Valdes, Vincenzo Maurice Cirelli, Reno Donald Valdes, Kayley Grace Cirelli and Ryder Lehning; five great-grandchildren.

John was raised in the San Francisco Bay area from which he enlisted, 1955, in the Air Force and spent the next 25 years moving around the world until orders came assigning him to Offutt and SAC, in Omaha, where he completed his Air Force career.  Over the next 48 years, John had the wonderful good fortune to join several companies including, Northern Border Pipeline, FNBO-President of FNBO Construction (Tower and construction of additional FNBO sites); UNMC, Bellevue Hospital, Fairfax Hospital, MO, Emergency Room and Radiology projects and several additional consulting projects.  When he wasn’t working John polished his golf game, continued to ride his Harley motorcycle, race Porsches, travel, hang out with Ms. Farvel, his Siberian Husky sidekick, and his great neighbors of S. 175^th Cr.  The family wishes to convey their thanks to the wonderful people who shared John’s journey over the years and finally to the caring and talented staff at Hillcrest Country Estates in Papillion and Aseracare Hospice team who lightened his days and helped add so much during his short battle with Alzheimer’s.

The Family will receive friends on Thursday, July 28, 2022, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the West Center Chapel.  MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, July 29, 2022, 11:00am at the West Center Chapel.  Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park with full Military Honors by Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.

Gifts in memory of John Lehning may be made to the Stephen J. Lehning Lung Cancer Research Fund #01134480 at the University of Nebraska Foundation, P.O. Box 82555, Lincoln, NE 68501-2555. Please make checks payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation, include on the memo line or enclosed note that the gift is in memory of John Lehning and provide the fund name and number. Please visit https://nufoundation.org/fund/01134480/ to make an online gift.