Vernon Weston Miller, 78, Peculiar, MO, died Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville, MO. Visitation will be from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Friday at the chapel with Masonic services at 8:00 p.m. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to The Shriner Hospital for Children, 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

Vernon was born August 23, 1931 in Archie, MO, the son of Phillip Weston and Lucille Elizabeth (Wimsatt) Miller. He married Mary Jean Raynes on November 26, 1955.

Vernon was a U. S. Korean War Navy veteran. He worked for General Motors from 1955 until retiring in 1992. He was a member of the U.A.W. Local Union #1021. Vernon had lived in Archie and Peculiar, MO before moving to Wellsville, KS and returned to Peculiar in 1981. He was a member of the Wellsville Masonic Lodge #356, the Scottish Rite Bodies, the Ararat Shrine Temple in Kansas City and the Motor Escort, the Cass County Shrine Club and the Eagle's Lodge in Sugar Creek, MO.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mary Jean. He is survived by a son, Vernon W. Miller, II and his wife, Kim of Freeman, MO; a daughter, Mary Melinda Belcher and her husband, Tim of Shawnee, KS; special friend, Paulette Sheehy of Peculiar, MO; a brother, Jerry E. Miller and his wife, Bonnie of Harrisonville, MO; four grandchildren, Amber D. Giddens, Austin W. Miller, Madison L. Malone and Maryana L. Malone.