Mona "Mickey" Gavin

Mona M. "Mickey" Gavin, 85, of Callaway, Nebraska, surrounded by family in her room filled with love and prayer, Mona peacefully passed away on April 22, 2025, after a short battle with cancer.

Mona was born on January 2, 1940, in the town of Huron SD to Eugene William Van Doren and Marjorie Ruth Gilchrist.

Mona was raised in Huron, S.D along with her brother Stanley and graduated high school at age 16 in Huron SD. Upon graduation she moved to Southern California where she went to work for the phone company as a switchboard operator.

In March of 1958, Mona joined the US Army and served her country as a Cryptographer at the National Security Agency. Mona was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as a member of the American Legion.

While stationed in Washington DC, Mona met the love of her life Robert Keith Gavin. They were married at a small country church in Clinton Maryland on April 16, 1960. Through this union of love, they were blessed with 4 children – Tim, Kelley, Troy, and Todd.

Robert (USN Retired) and Mickey were stationed in Norfolk VA, Oahu HI, Washington DC, Jacksonville FL, and Puerto Rico. Upon retirement from the Navy Bob, Mickey, and the children moved to Clay Center NE to be closer to family. In 1977 the family made their final move to Callaway NE where they enjoyed several decades of life in this wonderful community.

Mona is survived by Troy & Julie Gavin of Sargent NE, Tim & Jill Gavin of Grand Island NE, her best friend and our ‘adopted sister’ Tina Barrett of Callaway, Christina Wilkinson (Tim) of Orange City FL, Tycen Gavin (Christina) of Ogallala NE, Lindsi Gavin (Carlos) of Cozad NE, Colt Corbin (Ryley) of Sargent NE, Jayme Box (Aaron) of Grand Island NE, Hannah Tillinghast of Grand Island NE and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Mona was preceded in death by husband Robert Keith Gavin, daughter Kelley Jo Gavin, and son Todd Martin Gavin.

The celebration of life services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday April 30th at the Callaway Community Church with lunch served after the services. Interment with military honors will be held at 2 PM at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell NE.

Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department where Mona served for many years as an EMT and whose selfless volunteers have responded to the Gavin house many times over the years.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com