Vernon J. Gumescheimer, age 83, passed away on August 15, 2014 at his home in Bazine, Kansas. He was born on February 25, 1931, in LaCrosse, Kansas, the son of John Jr. and Lydia (Heronemus) Gumescheimer.

He attended school until the eighth grade, at which time he quit school to help on the family farm. In addition to farming, as a young man, he worked alongside his father as a carpenter and did construction work. He married Evelyn Stieben on November 26, 1950 at Bazine, Kansas. She survives along with three children: Linda, Paula, and Craig. While farming, he also held jobs as a road patrolman for the county, worked at Humburg's in Bazine and 30 years at the Bazine Co-op. His love for animals drew him to raising sheep until he had to retire for health reasons. While raising sheep, he had his trusty helpers, Great Pyrenees dogs.

Upon retiring, his hobbies included woodworking, gardening, tinkering around his shop fixing things, watching his favorite polka show, and having his constant companion, "Tinker", his little dog, by his side. He was very proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed their visits, along with his great grandsons. His great grandsons always put a smile on his face.

He was a man of few words, but always got his point across. He touched the hearts of many who knew him.

He was a member of St. Paul Congregational Church in Bazine. He will be greatly missed by his wife Evelyn; one son, Craig Gumescheimer and his wife Lori, of California; two daughters, Linda Gumescheimer of Bazine and Paula Atwell and her husband Courtney of Utica, Kansas; one brother, Clarence Gumescheimer and his wife Genelda of Great Bend, Kansas; one sister, Lillian Born and her husband Harry of Follett, Texas; four grandchildren, Brooke Nech and husband Justin, Taylor J. Atwell and wife Jessica all of Omaha, Nebraska, Daneé Langer and husband Jeremy of Andover, Kansas, and Derek Gumescheimer of California; five great-grandsons, Tate, Gage & Kale Nech and Tavin & Blake Atwell.

Cremation has taken place. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Saturday, August 30, 2014 from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul Congregational Church or the family.

Words of sympathy and support may be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.