Vernon M. Vaughn

DIAMOND—Vernon M. Vaughn, 88, of Diamond and formerly of Shelby, AL and Berwyn, IL, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the home of his daughter in Diamond.
Born May 28, 1929 in Bessermer, AL, Vernon Melvin was a son of Melvin Thomas and Ellen (Reynolds) Vaughn. He was raised in Alabama, and upon moving to Illinois went to work as a high rise window washer and painter in Chicago. Vernon later began welding and joined the Boilermakers Local #1, from where he worked for 30 years until his retirement.
Upon retiring, Vernon relocated to Alabama, where he loved living on the lake, and made great friends. It was in 2016 when Vernon’s health began declining that he returned to Illinois and made his home in Diamond.
He was a member of the A.F. & A.M., loved collecting antiques and will be remembered as an overall handyman who enjoyed to build.
Survivors include his daughter, Theresa (Mike) Ryan, of Diamond; grandchildren: Douglas Taylor, of Des Plaines; Melissa Taylor, of Wisconsin and Michael J. (Ann) Ryan and Nicholas Ryan, both of Diamond; great-grandchildren: Clayton John “C.J.” Elam, Story Paige, Storm and Jordan and dear friends: Steve and Sheri Frye, of Alabama and Robin and Tom Cirrencione, of Diamond, as well as his canine companion, Buddy.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, son and daughter-in-law, James “Sonny” and Linda Vaughn; daughter and son-in-law, Clair (Douglas, Sr.) Taylor; two brothers and four sisters.
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Monday, May 14, 2018 between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 N. Broadway, one block north of Illinois Route 113, in Coal City. Funeral services will follow Tuesday morning, May 15 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Reverend Brad Shumaker from the Coal City United Methodist Church officiating.
Burial with full military honors will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Vernon’s memory to the Manteno Veteran’s Home or to the family for their distribution to a charity of their choosing.
Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Vernon’s memory page online by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.