Vernon Meade

Vernon Meade
July 13, 1927 - March 30, 2012
Williamsburg, Iowa
Visitation: 3-7 PM April 02, 2012 at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 am April 03, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Williamsburg
Interment: , at St. Michael's Cemetery Holbrook
Vernon Joseph Meade passed away on March 30 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Amana after a prolonged illness. Born on July 13, 1927, and raised in Holbrook, Iowa, he was one of 9 children of William and Margaret (Ruth) Meade. He attended Parnell Schools. He served in the U.S. Army with assignments at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, and Germany. He met Marlene Wagner of Oxford at a dance and they married in 1952 and raised 9 children together. They farmed in the Cosgrove and Windham area for several years. Vernon then worked construction in the Iowa City area, moving to Williamsburg in 1969. They moved to Austin, Texas in 1980 ,where Vernon worked for the University of Texas as a carpenter until his retirement. They returned to Iowa in 1994 and remained in the area until his death. Vernon loved watching sports and was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He enjoyed gardening, doing handyman jobs, hanging out in the garage, and spending time with his family and friends. By his account, he was also a hot shot pool player in his day and many will remember him for his practical jokes, sense of humor, and infectious smile. He was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Knights of Columbus. He leaves behind his wife of nearly 60 years, Marlene; 5 daughters and their spouses: Barbara and Gary Thomas of West Branch, Sandra Townsend and Carl Martin of Georgetown, TX, Mary and Bob Maxwell of Georgetown, TX, Margaret (Peg) and Bill Hay of Round Rock, TX, Lisa and Brian Carr of Georgetown, TX, a son Paul Meade of Williamsburg, and daughters in law, Diane and Dan Dvorak of Iowa City, Gale and Dave VanHauen of Williamsburg, and Patty Meade of Williamsburg. He was a grandfather of 15: Chris Nidey of Iowa City, Ryan (Laura) Nidey of Englewood, CO, Tara and Tyler Meade of Iowa City, Erin (Kris) Dougherty of Iowa City, Michelle (Justin) Drummons of Georgetown, TX, Kate (Andy) Friederichs of Ft Worth, TX, Dustin McCallister of Austin, TX, Garrett and Taylor Hay of Round Rock, TX, 1LT Laura Meade, serving in Afghanistan, Sara Meade (Spencer Coffman) of Tiffin, Emily Meade of Williamsburg, and Dawson and Lindsey Carr of Georgetown, TX. He had 3 great grandchildren, Sophia Friederichs, Landon Coffman, and Matthias Drummons. His surviving siblings and their spouses are Bill and Deloris Meade, Wayne Meade, and Marge Sauter, and sister in law Shirley Meade. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. Regrettably, he was preceded in death by 3 sons, Robert in 1990, Terrance (Bernie) in 1985 and Mark in 1957 whose losses he felt daily. He was also preceded in death by his parents, sisters Anne Cypra, Helen Meade, and Geraldine Meade, and brothers Don and John Meade. Memorials are for St. Michael's Cemetery, REA in Conroy or Essence of Life Hospice.