John Joseph Regner

John Joseph Regner, age 77 was born on April 8, 1947 in Omaha Nebraska and died on November 22, 2024 in Apple Valley, CA. He was the oldest of six children born to John S. and Mary Ann (Purchal) Regner of Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Saint Joseph Grade School and High School (Class of 1965) in Omaha and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln prior to joining the United States Air Force in 1966.

While serving in the Air Force his permanent assignments included the 831st. Tactical Hospital at George AFB near Victorville, CA and the 81st. Tactical Hospital at RAF Bentwaters, England. His duties included those of a Medic and an Immunology Specialist. He was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant after serving four years on active duty.

While stationed at George AFB, he met the love of his life Katherine (Dede) Basura. They were married at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hesperia, CA on September 20, 1969 and have enjoyed their life together for over 55 years and resided in Apple Valley, CA since leaving the Air Force. They have two sons and two grandchildren.

John earned an Associate of Science Degree from Victor Valley College in 1974. He had several jobs during his life. He was a substitute newspaper carrier for Omaha World Herald; a grocery bag boy, shelf stocker and cashier for Safeway; four summers as the “dock boy” at the Maple Beach Resort near Pelican Rapids Minn; construction laborer for several years; and eventually a Building Inspector and Plans Examiner for San Bernardino County Building and Safety and, then the Senior Plans Examiner for the City of Hesperia. He retired in 2010.

He was past president of the High Desert Astronomical Society and of the High Country Chapter of the International Conference of Building Officials.He recently joined the High Desert Chapter of the American Legion. He was recognized for over 32 gallons of blood donations to Life Stream. He and Dede had been members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Hesperia since the late 1960’s and then transferred to Our Lady of The Desert Catholic Church in Apple Valley recently. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, astronomy, stamp collecting, woodworking, model trains (he has a caboose in his backyard) and especially his wonderful grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Katherine (Dede), sons Johnny Regner and wife Sherry Altmeyer Regner, and Christopher Regner, and grandchildren, John Clayton and Trista Joyce all of Apple Valley, CA. He is also survived by brothers, Thomas Regner and wife, Julie of Quincy, Ill., William (Billy) Regner and wife Heather of Omaha NE., and sisters Clara (Pinky) Hetherington and husband Mike of Omaha, NE., Margaret (Peggy) Chestnut of Columbus, NE., and Patricia Loseke and husband Roger of Monroe, NE. ; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents and by an infant sister Mary Kay Regner.

Services will be held at Our Lady of The Desert Catholic Church in Apple Valley, CA on December 18, 2024 and 11 am. With burial at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA at a later date.