Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Runge Mortuary in Davenport. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Vernon’s name to the ARC of Scott County or the Handicapped Development Center. Online condolences may be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.
Vernon was born June 28, 1928 on the 101 Ranch near Ponca City, Oklahoma. He spent most of his youth in Kansas. Vernon dropped out of high school in 1946 to join the Navy, serving on a destroyer that participated in the two atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in the summer of 1946. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Vernon entered college, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He eventually earned a PhD from the University of Iowa. Vernon spent a number of years teaching elementary school, then worked as a school psychologist. In 1966 Vernon moved to Bettendorf and became the Director of Special Education for the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. He retired from there in 1991. Vernon devoted his career to those with special needs and was recognized many times for his service to the community.
Vernon was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Baalman on August 26, 1950. They recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.
In addition to his wife Betty, those left to honor his memory are his brother James (Twila) Hand, North Platte, NE, his sister Lavaun Beyer, North Platte, NE, his five daughters, Vicki (David) Dieckman of Overland Park, KS, Cindi (William) Coe of Huntersville, NC, Catherine (Bob) Bosco of Davenport, Julie (Brad) Parsons of Naperville, IL and Lori (Don) Dondanville of Davenport. Vernon treasured his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jennifer (Sean) Cooke, Stephanie (Mark) Zeller, Scott (Brianna) Bosco, Hannah Bosco, Jack, Ben and Ellee Parsons, Matthew and Lydia Ernster, Ryan, Addison and Caitlin Cooke, Logan Dieckman and Natalie Bosco.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and May Hand, his brother, Derald Hand, his son-in-law James Pearson and his grandson, Aaron Dieckman.
The family respectfully requests that masks be worn at all services.
