Verna married twice in her lifetime, first to William H. Bennett on October 29, 1942 who passed away April 10, 2000 and Oliver L. DeGuire on April 25, 1964 who after 30 years of marriage passed away on November 15, 1994.
She graduated from East St Louis High School in January 1942. After 30 years of valued and dedicated service with Union Pacific, she retired on January 7, 1988. One of Verna’s happiest experiences was purchasing a home in Osage Beach, Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks where she learned to operate a pontoon boat, fish and swim in the lake. Later in life she entered the apartment community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows where she had many friends, loved to play cards, bingo and horn in the Rhythm Band. Verna was a member of Glad Tidings Church in Belleville, IL.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Frank C. and Ethel, nee Kolb, Tockstein; two sisters, Malvena M. Piper, and Dorris J. Seidel; brother, Robert J. Himmaugh; three step daughters, Brenda Federline DeGuire, Janet Nester DeGuire, and Joyce King DeGuire; cousins, Helen Kolb and Marie Tockstein.
Surviving are her son, Frank D. Bennett (Toni Farrell) (Brenda Hanser); stepson, Bill (Merrilee) DeGuire; two grandchildren, Frank J. (Sue) Bennett and Christina Bennett (Jenny Smith); four great grandchildren, Scott Crook, Andrea Lindauer, Jenna Bennett, Bailey Bennett; three great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and sister-in-law, Betty Himmaugh.
Verna leaves a lasting and beautiful legacy of friendship and love enjoying life to the fullest and making each day better than the day before.
The family would like to acknowledge the loving care she received during her final days at Gateway Regional Medical Center and Breeze Hospice.
Memorials in Verna’s name can be made to Breese Hospice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com
Visitation will be held Friday, April 15, 2016 from 4-8 pm at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West Belleville, IL 62223.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016, 11:00 am at the funeral home.
Interment will be held in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL
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