John T. Vernon, of Portage, died Thursday, April 5, 2007 at VNA Horton Hospice Center, Valparaiso. He was 59.

He was born Nov. 14, 1947 in Jackson, Tenn. the son of Grady and Mary (Daniels) Vernon. His mother survives in Lake Station. His father preceded him in death.

On Oct. 29, 1971 in Portage, he married Rebecca Dust, who survives in Portage.

He is also survived by a son, Matthew (Samantha) Vernon of Portage; daughters, Jessica (Wally) Lowe of Valparaiso, Juliet (David) Yack of Colo., Melissa (David) Witherspoon of Texas and Tina Graham of Ariz.; a brother Jerry (Bev) Vernon of Chesterton and six grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Larry Vernon.

John was an area resident since 1957 and was a member of Grace Church of the Nazarene. He retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1989 where he worked as a Millwright. He was a Navy veteran serving for four years, including two tours in Vietnam.

Funeral services, Pastor Mark Hostetler officiating, will be at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 7 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage. Private family interment services will be held at Heritage Cemetery, Portage.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until time of service at 7 p.m. Saturday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the family for charities to be selected at a later date.

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Posted 4/6/2007