Boots, Vernon David

Vernon David Boots, 85, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in his Mechanicsville home due to complications from cancer. Vernon's funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at North Cedar Elementary School, Mechanicsville. His viewing and visitation will be Monday from 4 until 7 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon. He will be buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville, with military and fire department honors. A luncheon will be served at the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church after the committal.

Surviving Vernon are his sons, Rodger, Mechanicsville, and Ricki, Muscatine; two grandchildren, Eric and Kaylene Boots, Muscatine; brother, William “Bill,” Mechanicsville; sister, Florence Hatcher, Indianola; and many four-legged friends.

Preceding Vernon in death were his parents; wife; son, Scott; and sister, Anna Mary Boots.

Vernon was born Jan. 25, 1926, the first son of Merwyn and Reva Vernon Boots, in Elk River, Minn. As a young boy, Vernon and his family moved to Mechanicsville. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, holding the rating of Motor Machinists Mate Third Class, and he was a member of Busch-Dennis American Legion Post 309 for over 60 years. Vernon married Marie Gladys Baxa on Aug. 22, 1949, in Lisbon. Vernon owned and operated the Conoco gas station and Boots Truck Line, hauling livestock. Vernon drove school bus for what is now the North Cedar Schools for over 56 1/2 years. He was a member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years, and served on the Mechanicsville City Council.

A memorial fund in Vernon's honor has been established.

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Published Sept. 30, 2011, in The Gazette