Vernon L. May, 89, of Hamlin, died Saturday afternoon, August 11, 2012, at the Sabetha Community Hospital.

Vernon was born at Oskaloosa, Kansas, April 7, 1923, one of twelve children born to John and Vera Stephens May. He grew up at Oskaloosa and attended school there.

Vernon farmed for a number of years in the area, worked at Hercules Power Plant at DeSoto. He and his wife operated a café/gas station/tavern for 11 years at Baldwin Junction at the intersection of highways 56 & 59. After moving to Brown County, he worked for area farmers driving grain trucks.

Mr. May attended the Powhattan United Methodist Church. Vernon served on the city council at Hamlin for a number of terms.

He married Anna Lee Williams, October 3, 1942 at Olathe, Kansas. They have made Hamlin their home for over 40 years. She survives.

Also surviving are their children: Gene (Annie) May of Humboldt, NE, George (Helen) May of Scranton, KS, Phyllis (Lenny) Dickerson of Ottawa, KS, Judy (Jerry) Bender of Minnesota; his siblings: Donna Courter of Oskaloosa, Charles May of Lawrence, Bob May of Grove, TX, Ruth Nading of Marrion, IA, Merea Mize, also of Oskaloosa; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; a son Steve in 2009; a brother and four sisters.

Funeral services are planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 15, at First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Hiawatha, with Chaplin Rick Souter officiating. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, south of Nortonville.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where the family will meet with friends from 6 until 7:30 that evening.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com