Celia Fern Black

Celia Fern McCollister was born to Milton and Alta Frink McCollister on September 4, 1919 on a farm near Goehner, Nebraska in Seward County. Celia was the youngest of six children. The McCollister family moved from Goehner to Central City in 1920. Celia attended Central City schools and was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Celia and Willard Black were married on July 27, 1937 in Englewood, Colorado. Willard and Celia were married 66 years. The couple lived in Central City where Willard worked for Walter McHargue’s “Market Center,” in McCook, NE. and Ravenna, NE where Willard was employed by Safeway stores and then they moved to the Dr. Fred Fouts farm north of Central City. In 1946 he and his brother Merlin formed a Black Brothers partnership in farming and livestock; they were together for 40 years. Celia and Willard’s life centered around their family of three children, Fairview Methodist Church and their neighborhood. Celia became a full time farmwife and she was also very active in the community. She was President of the Methodist Women, sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school and for many years helped the youth MYF put on numerous summer talent shows and ice cream socials. She was President of Central City Litzenberg Hospital Auxiliary. She gave Book Reviews and programs in 25 towns in and around Central City. She wrote a column titled “Black Board” for the Central City newspaper and later a column titled “Merrick Manor Profiles” while living at the assisted living facility. She was a member of Fairview Homemakers extension club for 50 years, a member of the YWCA and Friends of the Library. Celia was an avid reader from childhood and into her 90’s. She and Willard belonged to a six couple card club for 40 years; they enjoyed the bus travels they took with their Sunday school class on many occasions. They also traveled to 28 states on their own. Celia loved the time spent with her children and was always a loving and caring Wife, Grandma and Great Grandma. Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Dick) Monson of Loveland, Colorado, Jolene (Dan) Kopf, of Lexington, Nebraska and a daughter-in-law Donna Black Jacupke of Newstrawn, Kansas, seven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and twelve great great grandchildren. Her parents, her husband Willard, a son Dale Black, and son-in-law Bob Vokoun, one brother Dale McCollister, four sisters, four brother-in-law’s, Ruby and Frank Chrisp, Grayce and Harold Cudney, Enid and Cliff Currey and Bob and Hazel Lockner all preceded her in death.

Celia Fern Black

September 4, 1919 - May 23, 2019