Funeral for Vernon B. "Vern" LaVal of Hollister was held Sept. 16 at Whelchel Funeral Chapel in Branson. Dr. Steve House officiated, with burial in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery.

LaVal, 92, died Sunday, Sept. 13, 1998, at Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson.

He was born in Cape Girardeau, son of Vernon and Bessie LaVal. He was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, and received a master's degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

LaVal taught high school English at Ferguson schools, and was an elementary principal in the Ferguson-Florissant School District 12 years.

He was a retired major in the adjutant general's department of the U.S. Army.

LaVal was a member of Branson United Methodist Church; Branson-Hollister Lions Club; life member of Missouri Masonic Lodge, National Education Association, and Retired Officers Association.

He was a past master of Chaffee Masonic Lodge, and past president of the Rotary Club in Florissant.

Survivors include his wife, Grace; two sons, Robert LaVal of Heavener, Okla., Dr. Richard LaVal of Monteverde, Costa Rica; a brother, Robert LaVal of Joplin; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Norma.