Arthur G. Halfhide, 88, passed on to the loving arms of his personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the Chadron Community Hospital on April 4, 2026, due to a short battle with cancer. The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM, located at Chamberlain’s Chapel. Burial will be in Pawnee City, Nebraska, at a later date.
Art was born February 8, 1938, in Denver, CO, the son of Fred and Florence (Colgrove) Halfhide. In his early childhood, his parents settled in Pawnee City, Nebraska, to be their hometown. He graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. He enjoyed all the training he received and volunteered for as many things as possible, which, at one point, earned him the opportunity to accept a position as a company supply sergeant. He did his part to make sure his company always passed equipment inspections. Through his friendship with Denzel Fankhouser and his work for the local drugstore owner, he developed an interest in pharmacy and enrolled at the University College of Pharmacy in Lincoln, NE, in the fall of 1956. Every male was required to undergo ROTC training from the school, which additionally benefited him. When he wasn’t busy with military duties and training, he also took a summer job painting railroad bridges in Colorado, which earned him enough money to pay his tuition for the next school year. Halfway through his studies at the pharmacy college, he married Carol Thompson. The Thompsons and Halfhides were friends for many years, and the two dads coordinated together and passed on word to Art that Carol didn’t have a date one Saturday evening during Carol’s senior year of high school in 1957. That sparked interest in each other beyond just family friends. Two years later, they were married on Father’s Day, June 21, 1959. Carol worked full-time to help pay bills; Art continued his studies at the pharmacy college and worked part-time. By late spring of 1962, he had graduated from the university, earned the rank of Sgt. 1st Class (E-7), and moved to Chadron to work for George and Ella Myers at Myers Drug Store. Dick Myers, son of George and Ella, soon joined the team, and for many years, the people of Chadron had a trusted pharmacist duo, Dick and Art. He had wonderful memories of working together with many other employees who also counted it a privilege to have worked for the Myers. For 38 years, Art and Dick served together until the store closed in 2000. He worked for Safeway for a few years. Then, he had the opportunity to work for Petersen Drug with owners Gary and Drew, and he appreciated being back in the hometown style of pharmacy. The other employees appreciated how he enhanced their work experience there.
Art and Carol had two children born in Chadron. Kevin was born in 1963, and Teresa was born in 1965.
Even though he needed to move on from the Army Reserves with his discharge papers given on February 28, 1965, for many years, he was very involved in community events and projects, such as Kiwanis, Fur Trade Days, Veterans Honor Guard, singing for funerals, Scout Master for a Boy Scout troop, Museum of the Fur Trade, Dawes County Museum, American Legion, and Veterans Day Programs. Often, for special events, he provided a display of military or American Indian artifacts from his own collection. One special event was helping Norman Janis, a local Native American, attend the 40th reunion of the Merrill’s Marauders in 1984, held at Scottsdale, AZ. Another memorable event was the 50th anniversary of WWII in 1995, held at the Assumption Arena, where he had his largest display of military items. Over 240 people attended the dinner; Carol played WWII songs; a general from Lincoln spoke; and it was considered a great event for all. For many years, he put flags around the courthouse for Memorial Day and flags on graves at the cemetery. He and Carol attended the Flag Raising sunrise service at Flag Butte, as tradition, on Independence Day.
He trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior from sin. He realized that even though he had attended church all his life and had lived a decent life, he still had fallen short of the glory of God and the perfection required. He recognized that only Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) had lived perfectly and died on the cross as the payment necessary to cover his sin. He was active in several churches throughout his years in Chadron: First Baptist Church, Bible Baptist Church (where he truly understood his need for complete trust in Jesus Christ for salvation), Berean Church, Methodist Church in Hay Springs, and the Nazarene Church in Chadron. Music was a big part of his life as he served in the church, leading songs and providing special music. Special friends were made there that remained for the rest of his life. It is a treasure that a few songs were recorded of him singing and Carol playing. One was called “Spend Your Life Looking to Jesus,” recorded in 1984. He desired for everyone he knew to make that same decision.
Art was talented at many things. He helped build his current home over 50 years ago, built his garages, carport, and built the frames and poured the cement for the sidewalks. If something needed fixing, he could generally do it, even repair his shoes and clothes. He made several knives and an Indian dress. He enjoyed planting flowers in his yard each year and kept it immaculate, and he also grew cucumbers and tomatoes.
Art and Carol celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 21, 2019. Their children and some of the grandchildren gathered at the end of June to help them celebrate. Art loved to tell his children and grandchildren stories about his childhood and what he remembered of his parents and grandparents. His family feels blessed to have a video recording of both sharing different memories. Nine months later, Carol passed away on April 10, 2020.
After Carol passed away, he started attending the Nazarene Church because it was still meeting in person and he knew a few people who attended. He eventually developed a friendship with Janice Huggins, who was the adult Sunday School teacher. They both believed the Lord brought them together, and they married on February 26, 2022. They enjoyed four years of marriage, doing everyday activities together and visiting each other’s families in South Dakota, Missouri, Idaho, Kansas, and Eastern Nebraska. They enjoyed special occasions and holidays with Janice’s family, who live in Chadron. Each fall, they looked forward to driving through Spearfish Canyon together, taking in all the beautiful scenery. They did a lot of volunteer work together.
Art is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Carol, his sister, Arlene, and his great-grandson, Titus.
He is survived by his son, Kevin (Kristen) Halfhide, and their children, Elizabeth, Rebekah, Andrew, Sarah, Hannah, and Benjamin; his daughter, Teresa (Patrick) Abernathy, and their children, Nathan, Bethany, Caleb, Michaela, Leah, Noah, and Josiah. He has 16 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his second wife, Janice; step-daughter, Cheryl Feist, and her children, Amber and JaLisa; step-son Wayne (Marge) Kindle, and their children Paige, Scott, and Trevor; step-son Larry (Kathleen) Taylor, and their children, Ashely, Ryan, and Brittany; step-son Ron (Kristina) Taylor; step-daughter Rhonda Dvorak (Jordan Nagel), and her children, Amanda, Jaricka, Mersadie, and Wesley. There are 22 great-grandchildren.