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| Vernon Dale Richardson |
Vernon was born August 9, 1923 in West Line, MO, the son of Herbert E. and Opal (Spears) Richardson. He was a 1941 graduate of Freeman High School. Vernon was an Army veteran in WWII, in active duty in the 33rd Armored Regiment, stationed in England, Belgium, and Germany from 1943 to 1945. He was awarded four bronze stars for battles and campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe, and a purple heart for injuries received in Germany, on March 5, 1945, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He married Ruby Prettyman of Freeman, Missouri on December 20, 1946, and then raised a family in Independence, MO. He enjoyed traveling and spending time at the family cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks. He retired from working as a diesel mechanic on heavy construction equipment for the Operating Engineers Local 101, and eventually moved to Archie, Missouri.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert E. Richardson and Opal (Spears) Spielbusch, his brothers Glen, Harold and Ronald, and his sister Rosalea Pennington. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruby (Prettyman) Richardson, of the home; his daughters, Monna Maring, Archie, MO and Beverly Ekstrand, Clinton, MO; his son, Kenny Richardson and wife Debi, Deepwater, MO; a sister, Joyce Farr-Hart, Dickinson, TX, four grandsons, Kevin Ekstrand (Dawn), Mark Ekstrand (Korene), Derek Maring (Amber), Corey Maring and six great-grandchildren.
