Born May 11, 1943 in Bloomington, Tom was the son of Arville Cleo and Minnie Hazel (Hyslope) Vernon. Tom graduated from Bloomington High School, class of 1961. Tom proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965-1968 where he attained the rank of Sergeant E-5. He was a combat veteran, surviving the Vietnam War. He was a 0311 radio operator in Vietnam from 1965-1966.
Tom retired from Indiana Bell Telephone, after 25 years of service, as a cable splicer in 1994. He loved to fish, camp, travel and hunt. He would bird hunt with his two world-class shorthairs, Semper Fi Pete and Indiana Belle, which took them from Indiana to Montana and all the states in between. Tom and his dogs were featured in two popular hunting magazines. He especially enjoyed entertaining at his home (Hazeland Farm) and spending time with his family and friends. Another of Tom’s passions was barbequing, operating the Hazeland Farm Roasting Service for 30 years along with his wife, JoAnn. Together they catered numerous fraternity and sorority parties, as well as private and corporate events all over the state of Indiana.
His memberships include the 2/3 Vietnam Veteran’s Association, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge #245, Eastern Star, Telephone Pioneers of America and the DAV. He served as an officer at American Legion Post 18 and V.F.W. Post 604, where he was a life member. He was also a former member of the Monroe County Fair Board, Monroe County Economic Development Commission and the 40&8. Tom was a founding member of the Bloomington chapter of VEVA (Vietnam Era Veterans Association).
Tom is survived by his loving family: wife and best friend, JoAnn (Arney) Vernon, of Bloomington; two sons, Adam (Janean) Vernon, of Avilla, Indiana and Todd (Joan) Vernon, of Orange County, California; three daughters, Belinda (Jay) Wickham, of Custer, South Dakota, Brittney (Andrew) Costabile, of Denver, Colorado and Tommi (Craig Hoggatt) Vernon, of Denver, Colorado; one brother, William Vernon, of Arkansas and two sisters, Wanda Sue (Chris) Stark, of Bloomington and Jeanette Vanus, of Bloomington; sixteen grandchildren, Addison, Tessa, Weston, Gabriella and Cash Vernon; Megan and Jackson Vernon; Samantha, Laura, Joshua and Johnny Wickham; Lindley, Andie, and Keaton Costabile; Ellis and Miles Hoggatt.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents A.C. and Hazel, brothers Robert, Charles and Barney and sister, Wilma Vandivier, and grandson William Vernon.
Viewing will be held at Day Funeral Home, 4150 E 3rd St in Bloomington, Indiana on Wednesday, September 19th from 3:00 to 8:00 pm with a Masonic memorial service at 7:00 pm and one hour prior to the funeral service, which will be held on Thursday, September 20th at 11:00 am; officiated by Tom’s nephew, Tim Mercer. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens where the Monroe Veterans Honor Guard will perform military rites.
Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFuneralHome.com
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Legion Post 18, Monroe County Honor Guard, VFW Post 604 or your favorite veterans’ organization.
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