Vernon Carmine Vern' or 'Junior' Viola, Jr.

Vern Viola, Jr., 88, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 3:00 p.m. on January 3, 2014 suddenly, at his home, McPherson, Kansas. Vernon Carmine Viola, Jr. also known as Vern or Junior, was born March 10, 1925 to Vernon Carmine and Ozetta (Shertron) Viola, Sr. at Abilene, Kansas. He was the eldest of five children born to this union, four sons and one daughter, Vern, Ralph, Ilene, Bobby, and Donnie. Vern attended the Abilene grade schools and Abilene High School, Abilene, Kansas. On July 30, 1943 Vern joined the United States Navy and honorably served his country during W.W.II. He served as a Motor Machinist Mate Second Class on the NTS Farragut, Idaho; and at the NAS Olathe, Kansas. He received the W.W.II Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medals. Vern was discharged on March 20, 1946 and he returned home to Abilene. On March 9, 1949 Vern was united in marriage to Helen Louise Barlow at Abilene, Kansas where they established their first home together. The young couple were blessed with the birth of five children a son and two sets of twins: David, twins Brad and Brian and twins Jan and Jeff. The family was deeply saddened by the unexpected death their only daughter and sister, Jan. Vern started his career as a parts manager with Ronald Rice Chevrolet—Oldsmobile in Abilene, Kansas. In 1962 the family moved to Concordia, Kansas where Vern worked for Dutch Paul Chevrolet. The family moved in 1966 to McPherson, Kansas where he worked for Fred McKenna Chevrolet—Oldsmobile and later when the dealership sold to Turner Chevrolet—Oldsmobile. In 1976 they moved to Parsons, Kansas and Vern worked for Billingsly Dealership for a few years prior to moving to Wichita where he worked for Scholfield Pontiac Dealership and as it grew with different company's he served as their parts manager. Vern retired from L & D Supply company in Wichita, Kansas. The couple returned to McPherson in April of 2007 to be closer to family. Vern was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 24 and former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 both McPherson. Vern was a Christian, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend. His wise counsel, gentle guidance, and gracious smile will be missed by those who knew and loved him. He was very proud of his children and always wanted the best for them. Vern was especially fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren always looking forward to their visits, times they would share together and the opportunity to spoil them. Vern loved cars, power boat racing with his family and in his youth enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and brothers. Vern Viola, Jr., 88, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 3:00 p.m. on January 3, 2014 suddenly, at his home, McPherson, Kansas. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Ozetta; his wife, Helen Viola; a twin daughter Jan Denise Viola; and a brother Donnie Viola. Surviving family members include his children, David Viola and his wife Donna, of McPherson, Kansas, twin Brad Viola and his wife Donna, of McPherson, Kansas, twin Brian Viola, of McPherson, Kansas, and twin Jeff Viola and wife Tracy, of McPherson, Kansas; his sister, Ilene Favand, of Topeka, Kansas; his brothers, Ralph Viola and his wife Avis, of Abilene, Kansas and Bobby Viola and his wife Carla, of Winfield, Kansas; his 5 grandchildren, Dawn Kail and her husband Shawn, Ryan Viola and his wife Shannon, Morgan Williams and her husband Mike, Amanda Viola, and Hannah Viola and fiancé Wade Dosch; his 5 great-grandchildren, Jeremy Kail, Kinta Kail, Gavin Williams, Tyler Williams, and Easton Dosch; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, McPherson, Kansas with the Reverend H. Dick Reynolds, Jr. officiating. Special music “ Wings of A Dove” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain” will be played. The final resting place will be at the McPherson Cemetery, McPherson, Kansas with members of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2715 and American Legion Post 24 will present military honors.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 24 or the Wisconsin Power Boat Association and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.USHERSPaul Ediger Delbert Bohn