Mark Alan Vernon, 49, died Thursday, March 31, 2016 in Newton.
Mark was born April 10, 1966, in Concordia to Kenny and Diane Vernon. He was the middle of three children, having two sisters.
Mark grew up in the small community of Glasco, Kansas. As a young child, hearing the emergency sirens, he would rush to ready himself. Donning his fireman's hat and furry red and black fireman's coat, he would ride his tricycle down to the nearest corner. The fire chief would then pick him up to accompany them on local calls. Mark was affectionately considered a member of the team; with a CB handle of "Little Beaver."
His mother remembered his father teaching him to drive- or so she thought. As it turns out, his father thought his mother was doing the same- all the while, Mark was teaching himself by doing laps around the fertilizer tank. Mark had an affinity for farm equipment his entire life and wouldn't pass up the opportunity to get in and drive every chance he had. He enjoyed working side-by-side with his father and his fertilizer business and interacting with the local stockman was a favorite activity. As a teen, he worked at a local restaurant, La Tapatia.
Although he experienced ongoing health concerns throughout his life, they never slowed him down. Mark loved to travel and lived in several states including Alaska for a number of years. Mark will be fondly remembered for his forgiving spirit and willingness to help anyone he could. He touched the lives of many by being a resource in times of community need and always stood in defense of the downtrodden and less fortunate.
Mark is survived by his parents, Kenny & Diane Vernon; son, Justin Harder, of Newton; sisters, Connie Wick, of New Holstein, Wis., and Christy Million, of Newton; three granddaughters, Riley, Elizabeth and Zoey; and his two beloved boxers, Dexter and Heidi. Proceeding him in death were his grandparents, Glenn and Pearl Vernon and Kenny and Irma Schwartz.
Cremation has been effected. Inurment will be at a later date. Memorials may be given to Caring Hands Humane Society, in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home of Newton, which is handling the arrangements..
