Vern passed away peacefully on March 5, 2018. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Vern was born at home on February 19, 1932 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Madera High School in Madera California in 1950 and was married to the love of his life Phyllis Findley on Valentine’s Day in 1953. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and served for over 23 years, retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1973. A Vietnam veteran, he was rightfully proud of his service to our country. After his military service, Vern and Phyllis returned to northern California and settled in San Jose. Vern, then, worked for FMC Corporation for the next 15 years playing a key role in the development of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle for the US Army. After retirement from FMC, Vern and Phyllis spent several years in Merced and Turlock CA before settling in the Valley of the Sun in 2001. Phyllis and Vern settled in Arizona Traditions in Surprise AZ and made wonderful lifelong friends during their time there. Throughout their worldwide travels in the US Air Force and subsequent years, Vern and Phyllis successfully raised 3 wonderful children. Of all of his many accomplishments in life, Vern was most proud of raising his children to be productive citizens of the country he loved. Vern was preceded in death by Phyllis and is survived by his three children and their families: Rusty (Sandy), Joe, and Cheryl Krcelic (Marty); 5 grandchildren: Amanda Jester (Austin), Daniel Krcelic (Erika), Amy Turpin (Tim), Lindsay Krcelic, and Andrew Findley; and 3 great-grandchildren: Lillia and Findley Jester and Halle Krcelic. Funeral services and a celebration of life will be held on his behalf on Saturday, 10 March, at 4PM at the Dignity, Surprise Funeral Care Facility; 16063 W. Bell Rd; Surprise, AZ 85374. The family will be forever thankful for the loving care that Vern received from the ICU staff at Banner Boswell Medical Center and the Emergency Room staff at Banner Del Webb Medical Center. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to SEE4Vets (www.see4vets.org), an organization dedicated to helping student vets in AZ, in Vern’s name.
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