Donald was a U.S. Navy veteran who served on the U.S.S. Canberra Fox Division. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator, and president of the Columbus Club. He was active in both the Belleville Little Devils and Belleville Citizens Park. He was co-owner of Canterbury Liquor and Food Marts and owned The Suit Shop in Belleville. He worked as a Quality Assurance Engineer for McDonnell Douglas for 38 years, and later retired from Boeing. Donald enjoyed camping and hunting. He was a huge St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved NASCAR racing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Cecelia, nee Voss, Vernier.
Surviving are his wife Norma, nee Schwarz, Vernier, whom he married September 20, 1958;
his children, Donald (Tammy) Vernier Jr.,
Jodi (Mark) Clayton, Jon (Tracey) Vernier,
Debbie (Don) Pyszka, Angela (Clyde) Hutchinson,
Eric Vernier, and Joel (Annie) Vernier;
his grandchildren, Robyn (Joe) Wargo, Nicole Vernier,
Susan and Adam Schell, Jeff (Candice) Vernier,
Mandy and Sydney Vernier, Rachel and Alex Pyszka,
Jessica and Justin Vartanian, Regan and Maxwell Hutchinson,
Brendan, Collin, Sophie, and Carson Vernier;
his great-grandchildren, Leo and Bennett Wargo;
a brother, Kenneth (Dorothy) Vernier;
four sisters, Laura Deffendal, Janet (Charles) Mueller,
Lucille (Irvin) Fries, and Margie (Rich) Battaglia;
and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at St. St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. David Darin officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, IL.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your family.
Shirley & Bill Miller, Fairview Heights , Il, 62208
Papa- you are so deeply missed! With Love Always-Sophie, Collin, Carson, and Annie “May”. For the family- we love and miss you all. So sorry for your loss and wish we could be with you!
Annie Vernier, Mocksville , NC, 27028
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family, God’s peace and comfort. Much love and prayers
Janine hutchinson, Madison, MS, 39110
So sorry for your loss.
Hugs,
Kathy Flowers
Kathy Kruger Flowers, Island Lake, Il, 60042
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during your time of loss. I will always remember Dons sense of humor and interesting conversation may God comfort you during your time of need
Grace draman and family, Mocksville , North Carolina , 27028
praying for the family.
Betty Voss and Family
Betty A. Voss and Family, Belleville, Illinois, 62226So sorry for your loss
Donnie, so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending prayers for comfort and peace for you and your family.
Mary Frances Levy Soltys, Freeburg, IL, 62243
So sorry for your loss. Holding your family in my prayers.
Patty Winkler, Streator, IL, 61364
Donnie, Tammy and family,
Very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Don and Pam (Quandt) Brannon
Pam Brannon, Troy, Illinois, 62294
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sue Kern, Belleville, Il, 62220
S0 SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
MANY OF GOOD TIMES WERE SPENT
WITH YOUR DAD WHEN WERE GROWING
UP. LOVE,HUGS, AND PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
JOHN &ARTHA (VERNIER) ECKERT, DUCK CREEK VILLAGE, UTAH, 94762
So sorry about your loss Donnie. Enjoyed talking to your Dad at the bonfires. See a lot of him in you!
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ron and Patti Filipiak, Columbia , IL, 62236
Norma, our heartfelt condolences to you and the family. You are in our prayers that you may be comforted by God’s Holy Spirit during this time of grief and sadness.
Stan and Kay Cedarleaf
Stan and Kay Cedarleaf, Prescott Valley, Arizona, 86314
Thoughts and prayers. Mike and Julie Connor
Michael and Julie Connor, Belleville, IL, 62221
Rest In Peace Uncle Don. We will miss your silliness and how you always made us laugh. I know that you,Terra, Mike, Mee Mee, and Popsie are all watching over us. You will always be in our hearts. All our love.
Brad, Shelly, Christian and Terra Miller , Littleton , Colorado , 80127
Dear Norma and Family,
I just learned of Donny’s passing this morning. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Don was one of the greatest, kind and caring individual I have ever known, always willing to help others. He will be missed by all who knew him.
I pray that the love of God will provide each of you with peace, comfort and understanding during this time of such great sorrow.
George R. Ditter, Barnhart , Missouri , 63012
Norma and family Don was one of the good guys! I have great memories of the fun we all had together. He and dad had the same birthday which I didn’t know. I am so sorry he is gone but he’s always in the hearts of those that love him! Such a wonderful man!!
Stephanie Caruso Jack
Stephanie Caruso Jack, Punta Gorda, FL, 33955
Thoughts and prayers. Mike and Julie Connor
Michael and Julie Connor, Belleville, IL, 62221