Vernon Greene

Retired Colonel Vernon F. Greene, U.S.A.F., 101, of Belleville, Illinois, passed away at 11:45 AM, Monday, March 8, 2021, at his home.

Vernon was born on 22 October 1919 in Camden, IL, the son of Glenn Augustus and Esther Regina (Rang) Green. He married M. Pauline McClelland in Palmyra, Missouri in 1940 and she preceded him in death in 1975. He later married Barbara Rampley in West Point, Illinois, in 1975, and she survives.

Also surviving are daughter Nancy (Calvin) Malcor of Medford, OR; son Phillip (Linda) Greene of Kauai, HI; son William (Mary) Greene of Owatonna, MN; daughter Sarah (Robert) Jensen of Belmont, MA; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter and one due in April. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife and sister Alice Rose Groen.

A graduate of Rushville High School Class of 1938, Colonel Greene retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1974 after proudly serving for 32 years.  He was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Recalling his years in the service was a cherished pastime and an endless source of interest for his descendants. After his retirement, he continued to apply his love of learning to new pursuits, including many volunteer roles within his church community at Cornerstone Christian Church in Shiloh. He will be remembered as a gregarious, mirthful, curious, demanding, and generous man.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 PM, Monday, March 22, 2021, at the Rushville City Cemetery, in Rushville with Pastor Rich Bersett officiating. Interment will follow with military honors by the Scott Air Force Base Honors Detail and the Schuyler American Legion Post # 4. Mask strongly encouraged. Memorials are suggested to the Cornerstone Christian Church or the Schuyler American Legion Post #4.