Vernon Smithley

Vernon D. Smithley, 77, A Good Man" died Saturday, 15, 2025 at his Fairmount residence after a long illness.

Vern was born in McMinnville, TN, son of the late Jack Smithley and Ann (Watson) Stinnett. He married Veda Lackey on August 4, 1972. Veda survives. Vern honorably served his country in the Navy and attended Ball State University. Vern retired after 34 years from Thomson (RCA) where he worked in maintenance. It is also where he reconnected with Veda after being childhood friends. After retirement from Thomson he worked at Fisher Body for two years as a security guard. Vern loved staying busy, helping people, fixing anything and everything, and plowing snow. Vern loved being on the water, skiing (he could ski on one ski), white water rafting, and fishing. He loved to go night fishing for crappy. He and Veda spent many vacations going to Alabama fishing. He loved his 1967 Yellow Cougar that he enjoyed taking to the James Dean Festival. He also enjoyed a good Hostess Snowball.

Vern is survived by his loving wife, Veda; step-son Benny (Janet) Yount, Fairmount; siblings, Eula (Paul) Jefferies, TN, Wanda Smithley, Fairmount, Jaqueline (Bob) Ormsby, AL, and Eddie (Brenda) Stinnett, MO; step-brothers, Rodney (Patty) Smithley, FL and Rick Cox, Marion; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, step-father Omar "Buck" Stinnett, Jr., sister, Elaine Williams.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana where private family services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wreaths Across America in care of the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com