Born January 10, 1941 in Springfield to George and Marietta (Bales) Stuart, he married Buehla Schafer on March 20, 1959 in Banning, California. She died July 31, 2007 in Pekin. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jimmy Stuart and Larry Stuart.
Surviving are four daughters, Colleen (Brad) Gardiner, Valerie (Calvin) Lindblom, Tammy Sidell and Veronica Stuart, all of Pekin; seven grandchildren, Mike (Lauren) Gardiner of Peoria, Matt (Lanett) Gardiner of Arizona, Stefanie (Scott) Wilcoxon of Pekin, Stephen Lindblom of Pekin, Randy Sidell of Mt. Sterling, Jessy Sidell of Pekin and Alex Clendenin of Pekin; seven great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Clayton, Gianna, Gabriella, Kamryn, Alivia and Lydia; two sisters, Sheila Bartlett of Peoria and Brenda Bennett of Edelstein; one brother, George Stuart of Peoria and two sister-in-laws, Gloria Stuart of Pekin and Kathy Pacione of Morton.
Vern was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1958 to 1962.
He had worked as a pipefitter for 42 years at Aventine before retiring November 3, 2006.
An avid Chicago Cubs, Bears and Illini fan, Vern also enjoyed watching TV, especially Westerns with John Wayne. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Weber will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fon du lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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