Vernon Walton Rock 1914 - 2016

ROCK, STUCKER, DELASHMUTT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2016 at 22:25:20

Onawa Democrat
21 September 2016

Vernon W. Rock, 102, of Whiting, Iowa formerly of Blencoe, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 23, 2016 at the Whiting Christian Church in Whiting, Iowa with Pastor Josh Weece and Pastor Tim Koehn, officiating. Burial will be in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, Iowa. Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Rush Family Chapel in Onawa, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Vernon Walton was born July 6, 1914 in rural Little Sioux, Iowa the son of Newell and Izetta (Stucker) Rock. When his father bought farmland near Blencoe, Vernon remembered moving to their new farm by horse and buggy. He grew up on the family farm with his brother Gordon and sister Lucille (Hart).

After graduating high school from Blencoe High he moved to Omaha and became a Barber until he was needed back on the family farm when his father broke his leg. Shortly after returning he met Evelyn Delashmutt from Whiting and fell head-over-heels in love and were united in marriage on June 29, 1938 in Logan, Iowa.
Vernon and Evelyn settled in Blencoe just across from the town park where they raised three children; Carol, Linda and Jim. Theirs was a loving marriage that lasted for 72 years until Evelyn passed away at the age of 93 on October 26, 2010 in Onawa, Iowa.

Vernon was a lifelong farmer in the Blencoe, Iowa area first with his father and brother, Gordon Rock. He was also a seed corn dealer for Pioneer Seeds. He was an involved and upstanding member of the community and the Congregational Church in Blencoe, Iowa. He served on the school board for the Blencoe Consolidated School, the Blencoe Town Council, and was a Farm Bureau Member. Vernon was a wonderful man, always kind, and a great debater. He was known for his honesty and helpful good nature.

Together Evelyn and Vernon had a great love for the Big Band music of the day and often drove to dance to the music of Lawrence Welk, The Dorsey Brothers, and many others. Dancing was a passion that he and Evelyn began early in their courtship and continued until Evelyn passed away. Always a devoted husband and father he is remembered for his kindness, solid advice, guidance and assistance as well as having a great love for music, Blencoe, golf, bowling, current events and lively discussions. He especially loved attending the "brain center" at the coffee shop with his many friends.

Vernon and Evelyn's warmth and love was also shared and expressed equally throughout the family to their daughter-in-law Ingrid Croce-Rock, sons-in-law Rick Larson and Lee Schumacher as well as the grandchildren Darren Larson, Angela Poindexter, and A.J. Croce, and all the great grandchildren.

Vernon embraced a life of change from farming with horses to modern machinery, from party-line telephones to cell phones, from early planes to jet planes. He was fascinated by what he called "Progress" and eager to adopt the new technologies. When he was learning how to use the computer he talked about the first time he heard a radio. He remembered being driven to another farmhouse where people were gathered around the living room and spilling out onto the porch. He still could recall the first song he heard. It was "If I Had The Wings Of An Angel". His friendship and perspective will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his two daughters, Carol (Rick) Larson of Oklahoma City, OK and Linda (Lee) Schumacher of Madison, CT; his son, Jim (Ingrid Croce) Rock of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren, Darren (Karen) Larson, Angela (Wyatt) Poindexter, and A.J. (Marlo) Croce; six great-grandchildren, Luke and Olivia Larson, Cameron and Katie Poindexter, Camille Gordon-Kling, and Elijah Croce; and several nieces, nephews, numerous family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; his brother, Gordon (Lois) Rock; and his sister Lucille (Larry) Hart.

A special thanks to Linda Jensen for her compassion and friendship over the years and to the loving hearts who cared for Vernon at Pleasant View Care Center.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen