Arlis Rex Canfield

Arlis “Rex” Canfield, 88, of St. Paul, NE, died Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Matelyn Retirement Community in St. Paul, NE. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Apfel Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Springer officiating. Burial will be at 3 P.M. at the Ord City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 P.M. at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com. 

Rex was born on January 8, 1936, at Rose Vale, NE to Palmer and Mabel (Ainsworth) Canfield. He grew up around Ericson, NE receiving his education from the District 10 ½ School in Wheeler County, NE. He entered the Navy on April 22, 1955, to serve during Peace Time and was stationed on the USS Leyte. Rex was united in marriage to Blanche S. Parkos on January 5, 1956, in Greeley, NE. While Rex was in the Navy the couple lived in Brooklyn, NY, North Kingstown, RI, and Corpus Christi, TX. After being honorably discharged on January 17, 1958 Rex farmed.  The couple lived in Ord, Bartlett, and Ericson, NE. In 1963 they moved to Archer, NE where Rex worked for Warren Marsh for 17 years, and then Palmer, NE in 1979 for five years. The couple moved to Grand Island, NE in 1984 where Rex worked in construction until his retirement in 1999. 

He was a member of the VFW and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Him and his wife would spend their summers camping and attending country music festivals. 

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Blanche Canfield; children: Charlene Ackerman of St. Paul, NE, Debra Michels of Kodak, TN, Duane (Valerie) Canfield of Santa Rosa, CA, and Terri (Rick) Lawver of St. Paul, NE; grandchildren: Kaylene (Chad) Coughennower of Altoona, IA, D.J. (Jen) Canfield of North Platte, NE, Kenny (Betty) Southard of Kodak, TN, Cheryl (Thomas) Stepp of Kodak, TN, Brandy Southard of Knoxville, TN, Paige (Dustin) Brumbaugh of St. Paul, NE, and Taylor Lawver & fiancé Taylor Umstead of Shelby, NE; seven step-grandkids; 11 great grandkids, 20 step-great grandkids; and two step-great-great grandkids. 

Rex is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law: Frank and Steffie (Hasek) Parkos Sr.; five brothers: John Francis, Palmer, Arthur, George, and Eldon; six sisters: Lillie, Pearl, Bessie, Mary, Bonnie, and infant sister; son-in-law, Bill Michels; and granddaughter, Kathleen (Canfield) Werner.