March 29, 1944 - August 27, 2006

Services for Paul Dennis Hightree, 62, were August 30 at Omaha Christian Center.  He died at his home in Omaha on Sunday, August 27, 2006, following a long battle with cancer.  Pastor R. Edward Helmick officiated. Donna Phillips sang "If You Could See Me Now".  Burial followed at Hillcrest Cemetery at Decatur.  Pallbearers were Gary Alstrom, Tom Banks, Donnie Brewer, George Davis, Ed Helmick Jr., Herb Rachow, Dale Smith and Dean Tetan.

Denny was born March 29, 1944, to Paul and Ella Mae (Streeter) Hightree in Onawa, Iowa.  He grew up in Decatur where he graduated from high school in 1963.  As a young boy, he enjoyed playing football and basketball.  He also developed a lifelong passion for muscle cars, both working on them and racing them.

Hightree joined the United States Army in June of 1967 and was honorably discharged on May 1, 1973.

He married Gloria McCluskey on April 7, 1968, at the Assembly of God Church in Lyons.  To this union, two sons, Jeffrey Alan and James Michael, were born.  The family made their home in Georgia for a year while Denny was in the service, and then moved to Decatur.  They also made their home in Omaha for several years.

Hightree worked as a heavy equipment operator for several different contractors, spending the most time with M&S Grading.  He was a proud member of the Local #571 and always loved to talk about dirt work whenever or wherever the topic came up. He enjoyed spending time building birdhouses, attending car shows, watching NASCAR, visiting with his neighbor or watching old western movies.

He continued to work on classic cars, restoring a 1940 Chevy Coupe.  His family was the most important thing to him, and he loved spending time with them whenever he could.  He looked forward to the 4th of July parades and family picnics when everyone could get together.

He was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Gloria; sons and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey Alan Hightree and James Michael and Amy Hightree; and grandson, Justin Hightree, all of Omaha; sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Clarence Brockway of Decatur; brother and sister-in-law Lyle Dean and Wilma Hightree of Omaha.  Denny was blessed with a loving family including his wife's parents, Mary and Ron Boswell of Lyons, and her brother, Jim and Ruth McCluskey of Cheyenne, WY, Tim and Deia McCluskey of Decatur and Randy and Nicole McCluskey of Tekamah; nieces and nephews.

Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn, Valley, Yutan, was in charge of arrangements.