Vernon R. Konkle

 Vernon Konkle, 80, of Freedom, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2016 following a 5 year battle with cancer.  Vernon was born on April 29, 1936 in Oneida to Joseph and Berdina (Smith) Konkle.  He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years, with six months active duty at Fort Eustis, Virginia.  Vernon married Phyllis Green on September 9, 1961 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom. 

Vernon graduated from St. Norbert High School in DePere and earned an Associate Degree from St. Lawrence Seminary, Mount Calvary, WI.  He worked as a heavy equipment operator for 40 years at MRK Construction in Seymour and Freedom, later known as MCC, Appleton.

After retirement, Vernon volunteered at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and was a Eucharistic Minister for 20 years. Vernon and Phyllis also served Mass for many funerals.  He was Sacristan for 4:00 Mass on Saturday for over 10 years.  Vernon had a special place in his heart for the Mass servers at the 4:00 Mass.  He always told them he would be close by if they needed help. 

Vernon was well known in the neighborhood for walking his Golden Retrievers every morning in all kinds of weather. He was a very patient man, especially with puppies.  If they destroyed something, he would either fix it or replace it.

Vernon and Phyllis traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Germany and the beautiful country of Austria.  The mountains were his favorite.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Phyllis, a daughter, Dr. Darlene Konkle and spouse Wayne Lembke, Madison; a sister and brother-in-law, Viola (Roy) Rickert, Appleton; a sister-in-law, Joyce Konkle, Green Bay and many nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by Phyllis’s family; Paul and Pearl Green and Sharon and Carl Van Asten, and by his faithful dog, Sam.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Yvonne Konkle; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Norbert and Geneva Green, a brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Bev Konkle, a brother, Urban Konkle, a sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Vernon “Shorty” Gerritts.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom, with Fr. Walter Stump officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery.

Phyllis and Darlene would like to thank Fr. Walter, Deacon Don Newhouse and Deacon Gary Vanness for their visits.  They would also like to thank Dr. Goggins, Dr. Conkright, Sara Meiers and all the staff and wonderful volunteers at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology, the 4th floor Oncology staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Heartland Hospice.  In addition they would like to thank all the wonderful neighbors, especially Don Vyvyan and Wendy Cropsey who walked Sam for Vernon.

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