Vernon Ludwig

Vernon O. Ludwig, 95, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born Feb. 24, 1921, near Oak Ridge to Oscar Charles and Hilda Mathilda Friedrich Ludwig. He attended the former Horrell Elementary School near his home and was a 1938 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. During his freshman year, he rode his favorite horse to Oak Ridge High School. The next three years, he drove his father's Model T and hauled passengers. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving honorably during WWII.

On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1944, he met Bonnie Mae Armstrong of Cape Girardeau. On Oct. 20, 1945, while Vernon was still in the Navy, they were married at the parsonage of the Methodist Church in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, Vernon and Bonnie returned to Vernon's family farm, now a Missouri Century Farm, near Jackson. They had been married nearly 62 years when Bonnie passed away June 8, 2007.

Vernon served on the Horrell School Board until the school consolidated with Oak Ridge. He was a faithful member of St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland. He taught adult Sunday school, served on the church council, sang in the choir and served 21 years as church secretary.

Vernon Ludwig

Vernon completed a U.S. veterans agriculture class and Ford Motor Company-sponsored courses in farm management and mechanics. He was also a leader in 4-H, leading classes on beef cattle. Vernon was proud to have served his country as both a WWII Navy veteran and a farmer.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Cherry (the late Edward) Hinderberger of Columbia, Missouri, and Donna Marie (Danny) Criddle of Jackson; six grandchildren, Kimberly (Matthew) Lewis, Travis (Bonnie) Criddle, Jamie (Shauna) Criddle, Beth (Kyle) Essner, Gina (Charles) Henry and Jon (Julie) Hinderberger; 20 great-grandchildren, Alyssa (Tanner) Mangum, Megan (Benjamin) Jacobson, Erin, Jeremy, Joshua, and Brianna Lewis, Jacob, Madeline, Evan and Tyke Criddle, Austin, Addison and Ryan Criddle, Callie and Baila Essner, Darby, Grace and Priscilla Henry and Corry and Haley Crowley; and a nephew, Steven Wilhelm, who grew up on the farm.

Pastor David and Barbara Schaffner are valued friends of the family.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Edward Hinderberger, and three sisters, Evelyn Schoenebeck, Martha Wilhelm and Marjorie Ludwig.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland, with Dr. Rodney Pensel officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions to St. John's UCC are appreciated.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.