Vernon F. O'Meara

SIOUX CITY -- Vernon F. "Red" O'Meara, 89, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, at a local hospital following a brief illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 8, 2010 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with the Rev. James Bruch officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military graveside services conducted. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Vernon was born April 17, 1921, in Mapleton, Iowa, the son of Joseph Francis and Myrtle Margaret (Gallup) O'Meara. He graduated from Oto Public School in 1941. On Sept. 17, 1942, Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his time in the Army, Vernon was assigned to the Battery A, 17th Field Artillery. He was awarded the Normandy Campaign Battle Star, Central Europe Campaign Battle Star, Ardennes Campaign Battle Star, Rhineland Campaign Battle Star, the American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon and the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon. Vernon also received the Northern France Campaign Battle Star as he was one of the first to arrive on Omaha Beach.

Vernon married Bernice J. Kunkel on April 2, 1948, in Oto, Iowa. She preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 1988, in Sioux City. Vernon worked as a heavy machine operator for the Iowa Highway Commission for 30 years until retirement.

He and Bernice loved to ballroom dance and play cards with their friends. He also had a great love for his family, watching and playing baseball, playing horseshoe, and he loved horses. Vernon was a baseball enthusiast, playing all through high school and on the traveling team for the Legion and in the Army. He also enjoyed reading. Vernon will be remembered for his great sense of humor and kind heart. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, a life member of the American Legion in Oto, Iowa, a member of the D.A.V. in Sioux City, and a past member of the Eagles.

Survivors include his daughters, Susan O'Meara, Maggie and husband, Larry Locke and Kathleen Middaugh, all of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Carrie and husband, Jeff Butler, Tammy and husband, Lynn Blinde, Christine and husband, CJ Bean, John and wife, Dianna Locke, Kelley Locke and Katie Middaugh; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Maxine Miller of Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Pauline Sherman; a brother, Thomas O'Meara; a nephew, Gerald Francis Bowman; and a grandson, Todd Franken.