John Vernon "Vern" Gholson,

November 8, 1922 - September 7, 2012

John Vernon "Vern" Gholson Jr., 89, of Hoopeston, IL, quietly slipped away to be with the Lord at 4:30 P.M. Friday September 7, 2012 at the Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home in Hoopeston, IL. He was born November 8, 1922 in Hoopeston, IL, the son of John Vernon Sr. and Helen Aletha (Thornburg) Gholson. On May 31, 1942 he wed Nora Dean Fink. She preceded him in death on October 24, 1985. He later married June (Nelson) Rodman on February 6, 1989. She survives in Hoopeston. He is also survived by: one daughter, Nancy Jo (Dr. James) Miller of Carmel, IN; two sons, John V. "Robbie" Gholson III of Eureka, IL and James D. (Lois) Gholson of Danville, IL; five sisters, Betty Boehme of Hoopeston, IL, Mary Knapp of Bloomington, IL, Alice Butts of Danville, IL, Shirley Sondgerath of Ambia, IN and Patricia Sondgerath of Indianapolis, IN; one brother, Bill Gholson of Hoopeston, IL; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his parents and three brothers. Mr. Gholson worked at American Can Co. in Hoopeston as a supervisor in ends and coating for 43 years. Upon retirement, he became a real estate agent for Century 21, where he began working in 1982 and continued for 20 years. Vern served in the United States Army during World War II, participating in many battles including the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hoopeston. He loved and was devoted to God, his country and his family. Vern enjoyed traveling, working in the yard, repairing homes, reading and visiting with family and friends.