John Robert Boughtin passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
He was born Sept. 14, 1945, in Beatrice to John Robert and Lola (Pethoud) Boughtin. John grew up in Beatrice, along with his two sisters, Joyce (Bluhm) and Jennie (Saathoff). The day after he graduated from Beatrice High School in 1963, he began working as a carpenter’s apprentice. Because he was a quick learner with a strong work ethic, he was put in charge of the crew of apprentices. He later worked as a brick layer and a road construction worker. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a year, and served in the Army National Guard. For several years, he worked for Avco Finance. In 1974, they moved to Crete, where he resided for over 50 years.
John met Judy Zvolanek in Beatrice and they were married Sept. 16, 1967, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wymore. They had three children: Jefferey Alan, Jodi Lynn, and Jason Robert. At the time of Judy’s passing in 2009, they had been married for 41 years. John later married Diana (Dunham) Johnson of Crete on June 15, 2013.
John worked for Crete State Bank as a vice president and loan officer until 1991, when he joined NAPA Auto Parts in Crete. He owned the Wilber NAPA store for a time as well. His son, Jason, later joined him in the business. John enjoyed serving and interacting with customers, who appreciated his friendliness and sense of humor. He faithfully continued to come to work daily beyond his 80th birthday, when it was no longer possible due to health issues.
John was a member of Sertoma, receiving the Sertoman of the Year Award for 1977-78. For several decades, he assisted with the picnic for the Shriners’ football game.
John is survived by: his wife, Diana; sons, Jeff of Stevensville, Montana, and Jason (Xochitl) of Crete; daughter, Jodi (John) Meyer of Omaha; step-sons, David and Jason Dunham of Crete; grandchildren, Giovanny, Alexander, and Jaxon Boughtin of Crete, Alaina, Kaylin and Elisabeth Meyer of Omaha, Lillieanna Dunham, Maddyn and Kaden Dunham, all of Crete, Daniel Dunham of Alda, and Patrick Williams of Littleton, Colorado; sister, Joyce (Royce) Bluhm of Omaha; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
John is preceded in death by his first wife, Judy (Zvolanek) Boughtin; his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Jennie and LeRoy Saathoff; and in-laws Helen and Andy Zvolanek.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 29, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. The funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crete. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family for future designation.
Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
