Charles L. "Chuck" Vernon

Charles L. “Chuck” Vernon, 87, Huntington, died Monday, Dec. 12, 2016 at Parkview Huntington Hospital. Chuck was born June 18, 1929, in Tipton County, Indiana, the son of the Rev. Verlin O. and Freeda (Pickering) Vernon. He was a quiet, humble and kind man who led an interesting life. When he was born, he was so small and frail his mother was told not to become attached to him. As a young Boy Scout at the start of WWII, he was tasked with riding his bike around town during air raids to make sure all of the homes and businesses were dark. When he was 16, he traveled with his father to Poland on a cargo ship carrying horses to help rebuild the war-torn country after WWII – one of the original Heifer Project cowboys for UNRA. He attended Montpelier and Logansport high schools, graduating from Logansport High School in 1949. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, as a corporal and the chief battalion switchboard operator and squad leader, often working across enemy lines. Immediately after he returned from Korea, he contracted Bulbar Polio,which temporarily paralyzed his throat. He attended Purdue University for a year. He married Sharon Donley on Aug. 19, 1956, in Logansport. An Eagle Scout himself, he was a Boy Scout leader in Ft. Wayne and Huntington, and greatly enjoyed teaching life skills, sharing the love of the outdoors and mentoring young men to become leaders. He was a Parish Visitor with Trinity United Methodist Church for 15 years, where he called on shut-ins, nursing home residents and hospital patients. He previously worked a salesman in electrical supply with G.E. Supply and Wabash Electric Supply. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntington, where he enjoyed sang tenor in the choir for many years, He also was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, and Boy Scouts of America, and the Emmaus Community. He was an avid outdoorsman who hiked a portion of the Lincoln Trail. Chuck is survived by his wife of 60 years – Sharon Vernon of Huntington; four daughters – Tamara (Jim) Ehinger of Springville, Marda (Jeff) Johnson of Indianapolis, Michelle (Brian) Kelly of Scranton, Penn., and Renee (Scott) Kirkpatrick of Huntington; a son – Chuck D. (Janelle) Vernon of Marion; 19 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. His loss will also be felt by his church family and his close neighbors, the Brunners, the Cooks, and the Deans. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Bette Clements, and a grandson, Justin Kirkpatrick. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Dr., Huntington. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at Bailey-Love Mortuary with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Huntington. Preferred memorials are to Trinity United Methodist Church for the choir fund or Heifer Project International, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Dr., Huntington, Indiana 46750.

Charles L. "Chuck" Vernon

June 18, 1929 - December 12, 2016