Porter, Vernon Theodore – 1918-2007

CAPPS, DAVIS, FRANKLIN, HULTS, IRELAN, MERRILL, PORTER, TAYLOR, TIBBITS

Posted By: Donna Sloan Rempp (email)
Date: 8/9/2016 at 14:03:30

Services Held
Vernon Theodore Porter, 89, of Monroe, Iowa and formerly of Hedrick died at Pella Regional Health Center, October 11, 2007.
A memorial service was held October 15, 2007, at the Hedrick Christian Church with Revs. Carla Nelson and Claude Wood officiating. Burial was in Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa. Military services were conducted by Arendt-Bowlin-Stubbs Post #83 American Legion of Hedrick. His body has been cremated.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hedrick Christian Church, American Diabetes Association for research or to Hospice of Central Iowa. Reece Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
He was born February 13, 1918 to Theodore “Ben” and Nellie Tibbits Porter on a farm north of Hedrick. He married Lucille Hults on Oct. 4, 1941 in Lancaster, Mo. They had two sons. A graduate of Hedrick High School in 1936, he was one of the first to be drafted into the U.S. Army on May 10, 1941 from Keokuk County. He served as a combat medic in the European Theater. He was first stationed in Louisiana, then shipped to Ireland and England where he was united with his brother, Richard (for a short time) who was also serving in the army. Vernon was shipped overseas in the first wave at Omaha Beach and then to eight or 10 countries. He was with the 34th Division 5th Army. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for leading a group of injured comrades several miles through enemy lines after being cut off and about to be captured by the Germans. Vernon was in the Battle of the Bulge and fought in many countries. He was discharged July 25, 1945. Upon returning home, he worked for the Hedrick School and Kleinsmith Garage and Filling Station. It became Porters Garage. With the help of his brother, Richard, they did mechanic work on all makes of autos and tractors. He operated Porters Garage for 35 years until his retirement in 1979. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and NASCAR racing. He was Deacon and Elder of the First Christian Church in Hedrick where he was a member. He was a member of Arendt-Bowlin-Stubbs Post #83 American Legion of Hedrick for over 60 years.
Surviving is his wife, Lucille, of 66 years; his son, Rodney (Sue) Porter of Monroe; seven grandchildren, Jenifer and Susan Porter of Gainesville, Fla., Lee (Trisha) Porter of Jackson, Minn. Mark (Chara) Porter of Monroe, Brian Merrill of Council Bluffs, Mike (Alicia) Merrill of Edmond, Okla. and Matt (Kim) Merrill of Sherburn, Minn.; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Taylor of St. Charles, Iowa and Marilyn Irelan of Ottumwa; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Larry L. Porter who died in 2001; Larry’s wife, Pat, who died in 2007; a grandson, Steven Merrill; and a great-granddaughter, Katelin Merrill; two brothers, Willard and Richard Porter and Darrell Franklin who was like a brother; two sisters, Maxine Davis and Dorothy Capps.
Source: Monroe Legacy; 25 October 2007