Johnie Mearl Hughes, 67 of Gering, Nebraska died Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at Regional West Medical Center.  His funeral service was held on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at  the First United Methodist Church in Gering with Pastor Lauren Ekdahl officiating. Cremation followed the service. Visitation was Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Gering Memorial Chapel. Memorials may be given to the Kidney Foundation at the University Medical Center.  Tributes of sympathy may be left  www.geringchapel.com.  Johnie was born March 5th, 1941 in Burkesville, Kentucky to Johnny F. Hughes and Velma  (Estep) Hughes. As a small child, he moved with his family to Indianapolis, IN.At 19, he moved to Kimball, Nebraska where he met Alvena Crandell. They were married December 11, 1960. To this union they had 3 children, Cinda, Virginia and Johnie Marvin. Johnie served on the police forces of Bridgeport, Gering, and Mitchell. After working for other people, Johnie realized his dream of owning a gun store. In 1969, Johnie opened the Gun Mart out of his Garage. Over the next 35 plus years, he operated the Gun Mart and Pawn Shop in Gering.  He retired from the Gun Mart in 2005. He and Alvena spent time with grandchildren, gardening, travelling around to see family. He is survived by his wife Alvena, children, Cinda (Martin) Munoz of Gering, Virginia Hughes of Scottsbluff, grandchildren, Elijah (Sarah) Reagan, Spirit and Justice Hughes, Mariha and Quentin Munoz, great-grandchildren, Azalea and Ariella Reagan. Brother Randall, Sisters Geneva Spears and Geraldine Haney all of Indianapolis.  Brothers-In-law Dale Richard (Gay) Crandell of Grand Island, Robert (Hazel) Crandell o f Minatare, and Leonard (Susan) Crandell of Mobridge SD, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved him so very much.He was preceded in death by his parents, Father and mother-in-law Joe and Eda Crandell, nephew Johnny Allen Hughes, son Johnie Marvin, grandson, Terry Reagan; brothers-in-law, Edward Crandell, Schuylar Crandell, and Willard Crandell, Sister-in-Law Peggy Crandell, and sister Myrtle Hammond.