Vernon Edward “Vern” Meeuwsen, 78, a resident of the Verboort community, died Saturday evening, July 10, 2010 at the Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the Visitation Catholic Church; 4285 NW Visitation Rd. in Verboort.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort.

Rite of Christian Burial and Vault interment at Visitation Cemetery in Verboort will immediately follow the Funeral Mass.

Family and friends are invited to attend a reception following the cemetery rites to be held at the Visitation Parish Hall in Verboort.

Vern was born on November 5, 1931 in Roy, OR. He was one of nine children born to William A and Mary (Vanderzanden) Meeuwsen. He was raised on the family farm and received his early education at the St Francis Grade School in Roy, OR. Vern attended High School in Banks and was a graduate with the Class of 1949. Following High School, he served in the Oregon National Guard Reserve.

He was united in marriage to Barbara Jean “Bobbie” Evers on October 18, 1958 in Verboort, OR. Following their marriage, they built their present home in Forest Grove where they lived all of their married lives. Bobbie died on August 14, 2008.

Vern was a mechanic all of his life. He worked at the BJ Hermens Garage for 20 years then went to work for Consolidated Freightways for another 20 years, retiring in 1993.

He enjoyed wood and metal working, winemaking and building family heirlooms. He also enjoyed gardening, raising roses and feeding wild birds. When his children were young he would enjoy fishing and camping with them and was the “weekend” cook making pancakes every morning. Vern enjoyed old country classics. He enjoyed volunteering at Visitation, using his talents repairing and maintaining the parish buildings. Vern served as the sextant for the Visitation cemetery for 35 years.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Bobbie, a son, Mitchell, his parents, and five siblings; Maurice, Norbert, Ralph, Stanley and Lena.

Survivors include four children and their spouses; Robin and Patrick Shannon of DeSoto, TX, Paul and Marianne Meeuwsen of Kennewick, WA, Linda and Geoffrey Barnes of Kennewick, WA, William Meeuwsen of West Richland, WA, five grandchildren; Garrett, Erik, Allison, Jacob and Erin.; and three siblings; Harold and Lyle Meeuwsen and Clara Kindel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Vernon’s name to Visitation Cemetery at 4285 NW Visitation Rd, Forest Grove, OR 97116.