Vernon Gall

Vernon Gall led a life saturated with honesty, integrity and respect. Generous, dedicated, hardworking and loving, he was the kind of man other men looked up to. Vernon served his country as a courageous soldier, his community as a respected businessman, and his family as a loving and devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. Family was the most important part of Vernon’s life, though fishing was a very close second. He always maintained that his favorite place to be was wherever the fish were biting!

Each generation has unique milestones and events that have helped shape future generations. The 1920s were without exception. In 1927, the advent of flight took a giant step when Charles Lindbergh made the first trans-Atlantic solo flight non-stop from New York to Paris. The entertainment world entered a new phase with the first “talkie” motion picture, starring Al Jolson. On December 15, 1927, in Essex Township, Illinois, Vernon Gall was born, an event that would shape the future generations of his family.

Vernon lived in Reddick, Illinois all his life. It is the place he called home, and the place where he created a lifetime full of memories with his family and friends. He received his primary education in District 82 in Kankakee County, and went on to graduate from Reddick High School in 1945. Throughout his high school career, Vernon participated in many school sports and also performed in several high school dramas. Like many other young men of the time, Vernon received his draft notice from the U.S. Army shortly after graduating, and proudly served in Osaka, Japan. He often told of how he survived an 8.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the Osaka area while he was stationed there. Vernon received his honorable discharge from the service in 1947.

Once home in Reddick, Vernon put his time, energy and relentless determination into becoming a master craftsman of several different trades, some of which included electrical, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, bricklaying, general contracting as well as commercial and residential construction. With much to offer his community, Vernon built a commercial building in Reddick in which he started his own business, Vernon Gall Plumbing and Heating. He later added the sale of appliances to his list of services, and he took great pride in “delivering, installing and servicing what he sold” and he didn’t rest until the customer was completely satisfied with their purchase. In addition to being a respected business owner in Reddick for over 55 years, Vernon always sought out projects he could help with that would benefit his community. He was instrumental in the construction of the Reddick High School gymnasium, as well as the Reddick Lions project. To this day, athletes who come to play basketball at the high school can’t help but admire the “great condition” of the gym floor. Vernon always sang the praises of his longtime employee, Rosemary Brooks, who he said kept the business running smooth for all those years.

But Vernon’s life was so much fuller than just his career. He was also married, and though his marriage did not last, he came away with three wonderful children: James, Janet and Joyce, who gave him so much joy. As kids, they would come to his work and play in the appliance boxes, and when they got older, they helped with the customers who came in the shop. For a time, Jim worked for his dad, and truly learned a lot about hard work by his father’s example. Although his kids were his first love, fishing was his second. He could spend hours with his rod in hand at one of his favorite fishing holes. The only thing that made it even better was when he could share it with his family. Vernon looked forward and methodically prepared every year for their family fishing trip to Canada, where they met up with the LaVerne Graf family. They also headed to Minnesota with the boat where Vernon just hoped the fish were biting. Later in life, his fishing adventures expanded to include his daughter, Joyce, and her husband, Glen, as well as their daughters, Tanya and Allison, and his son, Jim, and his wife, Pam, and Vernon’s longtime companion, Stephanie. And if anyone of them didn’t fish, then they had to be able to play cards. A wise man, Vernon’s grandchildren and great grandchildren loved to hear him talk about his vast experiences in life, and just marveled at all he had done.

Never one to be idle, Vernon often said he wished he could work until his last day on earth. But, he found as he grew older that he became more of a consultant and teacher than the one who actually completed the job as his hands just couldn’t do what they used to. However, he could still “cut a rug” and danced many nights away at the Moose Club, the Kankakee Elks and the Essex Lions Club with dear friends. Although his dream to continue to work to the end would not happen, Vernon cherished the time he could spend with his children, and live in the home he helped Jim and Pam build. He enjoyed one last trip to Florida with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and of course, one last crack at fishing. There weren’t any fish to be had that day, but Vernon sure enjoyed watching the dolphins jumping in the waves behind the boat with his son Jim and daughter Janet and son-in-law Gene. Life didn’t get any better than that!

Vernon officially entered into retirement on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the home of his son, Jim, in the presence of his beloved family. He was the son of the late Clarence and Evelyn (McCumber) Gall. Beloved father to James (Pam) Gall; Janet (Stanley (Gene)) Anderson; Joyce (Glen) Allie; Grandfather to Jeff Gall; Terry (Alyssa) Anderson; Thomas (Dulce) Anderson; David Anderson; Tanya (Tom) Hayes; and Allison (Scott) Young. Great-grandfather of ten. Survived by sisters, Dolores (late Orlie) Black; Marlene (late James) Lower, and brothers, Donald (Margaret) Gall and Gary (Laura) Gall, and longtime companion, Stephanie Sorensen.

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Rosemary Brooks, his long-time employee at Vernon Gall Plumbing and Heating, and the Reddick area customers for supporting Dad all these years. Dad, we will miss you and our hope is that you are with your fishing buddies, Laverne Graf and the crew..."throw those lines in guys, the fish are waiting!"

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 24, at the Schreffler Funeral Home, Kankakee IL from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be on Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 35900 E. 3200 N. Rd.,Reddick, IL60961 with Reverend Kevin Boesen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kankakee Valley Hospice in the name of Vernon Gall.