Vernon Earl Stewart, 92, a longtime Haines resident, died Dec. 16, 2007, at Ashley Manor Assisted Living in Baker City.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Haines United Methodist Church. There will be a reception afterward. Interment will be at the Haines Cemetery.
Vernon attended Haines schools, Grades 1-12. He was a 1933 Haines High School graduate.
He was a longtime Boy Scout leader with Haines Troop 122, beginning in 1934. Highly decorated for his work with youths, he received one of Boy Scouting’s highest honors, the Silver Beaver award.
During World War II, Vernon served with Company F of the 186th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division, Army National Guard out of Baker City. His tour included 56 months in New Guinea.
He was employed for 15 years at Baker State Bank and First National Bank of Oregon before being appointed postmaster of Haines in 1961. He served in that role until his retirement in 1985.
He was very community-minded, serving on the Baker County Library Board, the Haines Cemetery Board and the Baker County Sheriff’s Posse. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Haines United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his sister, Marjory Peck; his nieces, Mardean King and Marilyn Taylor; his nephew, Ronald Ardell Stewart; his grandnieces, Christie Wolgamott and Deana Wallace; his grandnephews, Eric Nichols and David King; his great-grandnephews, Brandon Wolgamott, Tanner Wolgamott, Tyler Nichols, Carter, Nichols, and Karthik King; his great-grandniece, Abby Wallace; his cousin, Mary Catherine McCann; and many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Edna Kent Stewart; and a brother, Gordon Stewart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 19, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor