Staff Sgt. Dustin Grable
May 31, 2006

Dustin Robert Grable, son of Jackie Lee Jones and Tiffanni Dawn (Grable) Connell, was born on June 8, 1983, in Omaha, Nebraska. He passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center at the age of 22, due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident.
His early life was spent growing up in north Omaha (Florence area) where he attended Minne Lusa Elementary. Dustin also lived for a short time in Logan, Iowa. He attended high school in Shenandoah, graduating from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 2001. Following high school, he enlisted in the Air Force attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served five years in the service and was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2005 through November 2005. He had just reenlisted with the Air Force shortly before his accident. During his military career he volunteered for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Meals On Wheels in the Bellevue and Omaha area. He also did extensive work with the orphans of war in Afghanistan. In addition to spending time with an extensive list of family and friends, Dustin enjoyed golfing, riding ATV's, and collecting sports memorabilia, including objects from his favorite sports teams, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Atlanta Falcons, as well as his favorite stars like Michael Jordan. He also participated in soccer, softball and football while in the Air Force. Dustin had a career goal of becoming a First Sergeant in the Air Force. Always thinking of others, Dustin donated his organs to those in need after his death. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor. Dustin was always smiling and was a great inspiration to those in his life.
Preceding Dustin in death were his great grandfather and great grandmother, Robert and Hazel Hunt; and a great aunt, Lois Hunt. Survivors include his mother, Tiffanni (Grable) Connell, stepfather, Kelly Connell, sister, Hayleigh Connell, brother, Josef Connell, and grandmother, Lenny Drake, all of Shenandoah, IA. He is survived by his father, Jackie Lee Jones, stepmother, Jenny Jones, sister Ashley Jones, brothers John and Jackie Jones, Jr., stepbrothers, Benjamin and Adam Monk, all of Moorhead, IA; Also surviving is his grandfather, John Grable of Yuma, AZ; grandfather, Jackie Eugene Jones and grandmother, Lavonne Jones and uncle Anthony Drake, all of Omaha, NE, along with aunt, Amanda Drake of Warrenburg, MO, and lots of friends and extended family. A memorial fund has been established for Dustin at the First National Bank, 801 S. Fremont Ave., Shenandoah, IA 51601.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given the Rev. James Gubser and Ch. Capt. Randall Jamieson. Musical selections were "I Can Only Imagine", "Tears In Heaven", "Tears & Rain", "The River" and "Cry". Attending the memory register were Rebecca Castle and Katie Hillman. Ushers were Jason Gillett, Curtis Brooks, Justin Urrutia and Lance Nettrouer. Casket bearers were Christopher Swain, Brad Behrens, Rich Williams, Bobby Bouchard, Curtis Hinkle and Russell Curtis. Military rites were accorded by the Offutt Air Force Honor Guard from Bellevue, Nebraska. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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