Apr. 7, 1915 to Apr. 5, 2007
Vernard passed peacefully at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport after a short illness. He was born in Witter, Ark., and then moved to California in 1941. Vernard and his late wife, Freeda lived in King City until 1989, when they moved to Kelseyville to be near their daughter, Verna.
Vernard was a welder and blacksmith in King City for over 50 years, after learning the trade from his father in Arkansas.
Vernard and Freeda celebrated 72 years of marriage in March of 2006.
His favorite thing was hunting and cutting wood. About four years ago he killed his last bear in Northern California. He had been making plans to go deer hunting this fall with his grandson, Steve Anderson.
Vernard will be greatly missed by his family, friends and church, Lakeport Christian Center.
His wife, Freeda preceded him in death in November, 2006, and his son, Ken Keck in 2000.
He is survived by his daughter, Verna Russell of Kelseyville; grandchildren, Verena Call of Kelseyville, Robin Anderson of Rancho Murieta, Steve Anderson of Templeton, Aaron Keck, Jason Keck and Kimberly Ellifritt of Washington; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 12 at the Lakeport Christian Center in Lakeport.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com. Click “Obituaries.”
(Published in the Record-Bee on Tuesday, April 10, 2007.)
