Vernon H. Walser

Vernon H. Walser, 79, of Sanford, died peacefully at Stratford Village on Tuesday, April 16th, 2013, with his family by his side. He was born in Glenford, Ohio on March 31, 1934 to the son of the late Kenneth and Bessie (Hutt) Walser-Berridge. He was raised and educated in Newark Ohio and attended one year of high school in Midland Michigan before returning to Newark High School to graduate in 1952. On August 2, 1955 in Lynn, Massachusetts Vernon married his sweetheart, Jeannine Mercier and moved to Midland in 1956.

Vernon was employed by the Dow Chemical Company in 1952. In 1953 he enlisted into the Army Security Agency during the Korean Conflict and served until moving back to the Midland area in 1956. He continued working with the Dow Chemical Company for 42 years as a Multitradesman retiring as a Foreman in 1993.

He was a member of the Wheeler Road Church of Christ in Midland and was active in his Christian faith serving as an elder at Holy Redeemer Church in Sanford. Vernon was steadfast in his walk with the Lord, setting a positive example for those whose lives he touched.

Vernon loved spending time with his family and cherished his time with them, as his family was very important to him. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, and vacations with his family and enjoyed spending time at his cottage at Black River. He also was a big fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Vernon is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jeannine, his sons: Karl (Barbara) Walser of Calumet, Kurtis (Barbara) Walser of Coleman, Keith (Ronda) Walser of Midland, Matthew Walser of Sanford, and his daughters: Deborah (Reed) Feaster of Traverse City, Gwendolyn (James) Karl of Sanford, and Jennifer Hottois of Midland. In addition to his children he is survived by grandchildren: Karl (Kim) Walser II, Marlyn French II, Jared Walser, Brian (Maria) Walser, Adam (Samantha) Walser, Evan Feaster, Hannah Feaster, Cooper Walser, Isabelle Karl, Frank Karl, Seth Hottois and Cassandra Hottois, two great grandchildren Abby Reali and Annabelle Walser, one brother William (Judith) Walser and two sisters Phyllis Treat and Julie Britton. He also is survived by a nephew Robert Walser and niece Michelle Schiliro who were very special to him. He was preceded in death by his Aunt and Uncle Lucille (Walser) and Giles Long and sister in-law Muguette Woods. Also preceded in death by his Uncle Scott and Aunt Estella Orr who loved and cared for him throughout his childhood, with his special grandfather and mentor Harry Walser, as Vernon spent many of his youth years at the Walser Farm in Ohio.

The family would like to thank the staff of Stratford Village for the compassion and care for Vernon especially those members of the Dream Team.

Funeral services for Vernon will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday April 19, 2013 from Wilson MILLER Funeral Home. Rev. James E. Chilton of Wheeler Rd Church of Christ will officiate. Interment will follow in Jerome Township Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Army Honors and the Midland Area Veterans. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials maybe offered to the families wishes. Personal messages of condolence may be offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com