The Village Office will be closed
Wednesday, 9/9/09 so that we may say
goodbye
*******
Vernon Olin Wilhelm, 88, rural Unadilla, was called home on
Saturday morning, September 5, 2009. He was born
4/1/1921, with a sense of humor that was second to none,
to Walter and Effie Mae (Van Sickel) Wilhelm at the family farm
southeast of Palmyra. Vernon was the 8th of eight children. He
graduated from Palmyra High School, and on 6/26/1943 he
married Ruth Elaine McCormick at Plattsmouth. Vernon was a
life long farmer and one of the first in the area to practice the
method of no-till farming. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors,
fellow farmers, working with his cattle, and watching his
grandsons farm. Vernon was a role model for his children to
live their lives by. Everyday, by his actions and words, he
taught them the value of hard work, community service, honesty,
sacrifice for family, friends, and neighbors, and the sustaining
value of humor as we go through life.
Over the course of his life he served his community in many
capacities. He served several terms on the Unadilla School Board,
was a Unadilla Cooperative Board member, 4-H leader, church
board member, and for many years, worked part time for the
ASCS office. A source of great pride and a great challenge
came when he served his community as a member of the Otoe
County Board of Commissioners for eight years.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Ruth, with whom he shared 66
years of life, love, tears, and laughter. He is also survived by
son Bob and wife Barb, Unadilla; daughter and son-in-law
Nola and Dave Johnson, Lincoln; daughter-in-law Beverly
Wilhelm, Unadilla; daughter-in-law JoAnne Wilhelm, Lincoln;
brother Wilson, Vallisca, Iowa; sister-in-law, Ardist
McCormick-Willard, Stillwater, Minnesota; seven grand children;
nine great grandchildren; special family friend, Lankford Bivens;
many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his
mother and father, his in-laws, Lynn and Agnes (France)
McCormick, sisters, Aura Lucas, Jessie Steinbronn, Maude
Steinbronn; brothers, John, Elmer, Claude; brother-in-law, Dean
McCormick; great grandson Baby H; and with great
heartache, his sons Lynn and Ron.
Pallbearers are the grandchildren: Jeff Wilhelm,
Jennifer Hitzemann, Nick Wilhelm, Michele Hillman,
Jeremy Wilhelm, Marcus Wilhelm, and Travis Johnson.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, 9/9/09, at 1:30 p.m.
at St. John's United Church of Christ with burial at
Park Hill Cemetery, Syracuse.