Vernon Ernest Gusewelle, son of Christian W. and Bertha (Kuethe) Gusewelle was born September 9, 1932, in Hamel, Illinois. He was baptized at New Gehlenbeck Lutheran Church and went to elementary school and confirmed his faith on Palm Sunday, 1946. He was the last of his siblings to live and pass. He grew up on a farm east of Hamel, Illinois.
On May 14, 1951, during the Korean War, he enlisted with the United States Air Force and remained for two years, six months, and 26 days, until his honorable discharge December 10, 1953. He served in Fairbanks, Alaska and, following active duty, he remained in the U.S.A.F. Reserves until December 10, 1958.
On February 6, 1954, in the parsonage of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamel, Illinois, he married Joyce Katherine Landingham of Waco, Texas. They were married 67 years in the nuptial estate until her passing on August 2, 2021, when she lost her battle with cancer.
Vernon and Joyce had three children: Clifford Allen Gusewelle, born December 22, 1954, Rhonda Jean Gusewelle, born February 11, 1956, and Brian Lynn Gusewelle, born May 27, 1964. Rhonda passed away on April 16, 2020, after battling cancer.
Vernon is survived by his two sons, Clifford (Jo Lynn) Gusewelle of Barnhart, Missouri, and Brian Gusewelle of Belvidere, Illinois. He is also survived by grandchildren Shannon (Brent) Allmon, Amy (Dennis) Daulton, Rachel (Harold) Collins of Houston, Texas and The Woodlands, Texas, Chris Gusewelle and Angela (Gusewelle) Yount of Arnold, Missouri. Vernon is further survived by his great-grandchildren Katherine “Kate”, Charles “Charlie”, and David Allmon, Colette and Meredith Daulton, Garin, Ariana, and Jackson Collins, and Jackson Yount.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his daughter Rhonda Jean Allison, along with his son-in-law, David Allison.
In 1962, Vernon and family transferred from Zion Lutheran Church, Staunton, Illinois, to Peace Lutheran Church, Lemay, Missouri, where his membership has since remained.
As a career truck driver, Vernon was a member of Teamsters Local 604 and retired from Auto Terminals, Inc. and Cassens Transport Company after 36 years. He retired in 1995 at the age of 65. Vernon and Joyce moved from Oakville, Missouri to Festus, Missouri in 1996.
Vernon enjoyed good health and was able to live independently until his admission in 2023 to the Woodlands-Meadowview Memory Care facility. He had been diagnosed with memory loss and dementia.
Services; A memorial service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church (737 Barracksview) on Friday May 3 at 10AM. Interment JB National Cemetery.