Vernon Gale Schoen, 69, of Oak Ridge passed away Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at his home.
Vernon was born at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau to Vernon and Arylsse Lichtenegger Schoen on May 12, 1952.
He went to school at Oak Ridge High School. He married Linda Haertling Schoen on July 15, 1972, in Altenburg, Missouri. He graduated from Lutheran Medical Center in 1974 and later received his BSN and CCRN.
He worked as an ICU nurse for Southeast Hospital for 38.5 years, in that time he took care of countless patients and helped countless nurses on their paths. He was loved by all who met him. After retirement, he worked at area schools as a substitute teacher. He was involved in "shed days". He received Nurse of the Year and the "SOB" ("Sweet Ole Boss") awards.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Linda Ruth Schoen; children, Renee (James) Hatches and Charley (Jessica) Schoen; his mother, Arlysse Popp; eight grandchildren, Kaylee (Ryan) Hoffman, Lauren Dixon, Devon Balch, Parker Schoen, Cooper Schoen, Aliyah Schoen, James Hatches Jr. and Isabella Hatches; three great-grandchildren, Bentley Hoffman, Carter Hoffman and baby Hoffman; three brothers, Bruce (Brenda) Schoen, William Schoen and Terry Schoen, all of Oak Ridge; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vernon was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Schoen; stepfather, Kenneth Popp; and stepbrothers, Wayne and Kevin Popp.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, with the Rev. Roger Steinbrueck officiating. Burial will follow in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Charley Schoen, Ryan Hoffman, Jim Hatches, Robin Roseburg, Bud Johnson and Dusty Schoen. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Lungwitz, Charlie Mosboch, Scott Buescher, Charles Keeble, David Voss and Terry Pohlman.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Friedheim or Oak Ridge School VOTECH.
The family of Vernon wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Southeast Cancer Center, Crown Hospice and the many friends and family that came to visit.
Condolences may be sent to the family online by clicking on Vernon's obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.