Gilbert ‘Gil’ M. Savery, 101, of Lincoln, a longtime journalist, passed away November 2, 2018. His 44-year career at the Lincoln Evening Journal included a Pulitzer Prize.
Born on October 10, 1917 in Shelby, NE to Gilbert T. and Dorothy (Mills) Savery, his family moved to Lincoln when he was 12. He graduated from Lincoln High School and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Savery was hired as a police reporter at the Journal in 1941 and became the longest serving news editor in the paper’s history.
He was involved in the paper’s successful campaign to establish a presidential primary election in Nebraska, which gave the state’s residents a voice in who the political parties chose as their nominees for the nation’s highest office. For that effort, the Journal was awarded the Pulitzer for Public Service in 1949. Savery retired as managing editor of the Journal in 1985.
He was inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame last year, and on Savery’s 100th birthday, Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler proclaimed Oct. 14, 2017, “Gil Savery Day.”
Survived by wife of 45 years, Averil Busboom Savery. Children: Gilbert Douglas (Nancy) Savery, Kent (Anita) Savery, Gregg Savery, and Pamela Savery. Stepchildren: Kathy (Roger) Wolf, Mary (Robert) Tisdale, and Steven (Carol) Busboom. Grandchildren: Mark (Anne) Savery, Matthew (Mindy) Savery, and Lora (Todd) Savery-Hinze. Step-grandchildren: Jennifer (Jarrod) Wubbels, John (Ashley) Wolf, Meghan (Brian) Schueths, Justin (Melissa) Busboom, Morgan Busboom, Stephanie (Derrick) Hensel, and McKenzie (Jon) Geier. Great-grandchildren: Steven, Malcolm and Isaac Hinze; Savanna and Hayden Savery. Step-great-grandchildren, Barrett and Evalie Wolf, Kinley and Porter Wubbels, Reece Schueths, Jackson and Easton Hensel. Nieces: Susan (John) Hall and Patti Brunz; nephews, Kelly Savery, and Barry (Ann) Magnusson.
Preceded in death by parents, first wife Altha May Datel Savery, sister Millicent, brother Norman.
Celebration of Gil’s Life to be held , 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at Southminster United Methodist Church, 2915 S. 16th Street, Lincoln (02).
The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday (11/6), at Roper and Sons Funeral Home, 4300 ‘O’ Street Lincoln. The casket will be closed.
Memorials to Southminster United Methodist Foundation or Memorial Fund, Gilbert M. Savery-Sigma Delta Chi Scholarship through the University of Nebraska Foundation, The Nebraska Press Association Foundation, Bryan Health or donor’s choice.