Vernon Harold Finley 81, of Hiawatha, Ks went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 17th, 2017 in Hiawatha, Ks. Vernon was born on May 27th, 1936 in Beloit, Ks the youngest of 4 children to Doris Mae (Shane) and Harold Arthur Finley.

Vernon married his high school sweetheart Louise Anna Fisher on June 19th, 1955 having 3 children: Ray, Barbara, and David. Vernon and Louise lived in Colorado while Vern worked as a telegrapher and then returned to Kansas where he worked for Kindel Electric, and drove a truck for Western Auto.

Accepting a call to the ministry in 1964, Vern was ordained into the American Baptist Church. He attended Friends University graduating in 1968 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Psychology. He then attended Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, KS graduating with a Master’s of Divinity Degree. In addition to his schooling and ministry work, Vern also spent time as a Store Owner for Western Auto, and drove a semi-truck for Hoffman Transfer. During his 35 years of ministry, he pastored 7 different churches across Kansas and Nebraska serving with a passion and love for the Lord and his people. Vern retired from full time ministry in 2004 but continued on an interim basis serving at 3 additional churches in Kansas.

Louise passed away in 1993 and Vern remarried to Mary Barben on April 8th, 1995. Mary brought 4 kids to this union: Sandra, Debra, DeeAnn, and Keith.

Vern treasured spending time with all his family and sharing his love of the outdoors. Many memorable times were shared through camping, fishing, boating, or gardening with family.

Vern is survived by his wife Mary, 7 kids: Ray (Theresa) Finley of Westmoreland, KS, Barbara (Kipp) Spier of Tecumseh, NE, David Finley of Sycamore, IL, Sandra Coine of San Diego, CA, , Debra (Dennis) Kirkendall of Falls City, NE, DeeAnn (Jared) Hinkle of Hiawatha, KS and Keith (Jennifer) Erdley of Hiawatha, KS as well as 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Preceded in death his parents Harold and Doris Finley, his 1st wife Louise Finley, sisters Marie Menhusen-Montgomery, Norma Kindel, Opal Bell Finley, daughter-in-law Marsha Finley

A  Celebration of Vern’s life is planned for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Hiawatha.

The family will meet with friends at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home from 6 until 8 Tuesday evening.

Graveside services and internment are planned for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Glenwood Cemetery, Glen Elder, KS.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, or Parkinson’s Foundation, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7 St., Hiawatha 66434.  A special message or remembrance may be sent to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com