Vernon G. Liston
'Our Hero'
Vernon Gurnsey Liston, husband, father and grandfather passedaway peacefully at the age of 85 on Aug. 15, 2009 in SLC, UT.
Born on Nov. 28, 1923 in Collinston, UT to Lavon Reeves and LolaBarney Liston. At the early age of 16 he joined the CCC camp.
Before being drafted in the Army, he enjoyed working on therailroad in Nevada. Vernon entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and wasassigned to the 89th Division and later transferred to the 83rd INFDIV.
During World War II in Europe as a rifleman and scout, hedefended his country heroically cheating death more than once.During the campaigns of 1944 he was shot on three differentoccasions, in Normandy, Northern France and Germany. He was capturedand was a prisoner of war and later he almost lost his feet due toextreme frostbite. His military decorations were many, including thePurple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Ribbon, EAMERibbon, 3 Bronze Battle Stars, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Vernon was an honest, giving, hard working man, and an activemember of the LDS Church. He loved his family, especially fond ofhis Grandmother Elizabeth Ann Liston and his Aunt Verda, who bothhelped raise him during his childhood. He retired after 30 years atKennecott Copper, also worked for Mountain Fuel, and Utah Paper BoxCo. After retirement he enjoyed life as a crossing guard in RosePark Utah.
Preceded in death by his wives, Helen Bruehi (Goodin) and EllaFaye McCleery to whom he was later sealed in the Jordan RiverTemple; brother Joseph Franklin (Jay) Liston, and sister CarolHolmstead.
Unable to have children of his own Vernon raised and blessed thelives of many that he called his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Vernon is survived by Susan (Veral) Matthewe, Rita(Jim) Hollinshays, Dixie (Norm) Knight, Gaylene Ertmann, Anita(Mike) Morrison, Verna (John L) Petersen, Linda Symonds, David(Wendy) McCleery, Patrick McCleery, Troy (Nadege) McCleery, BrotherAlbert (Norma) Liston, Larry Nunley, sisters, Charlotta Kinder,Janet (Con) Anderson, Vicki (Glen) Goodin, Deanna Chambers, BettyFowkes.
Special thanks to the staff at Legacy House in Taylorsville, andHaven Home Health. He loved all of you so much.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18th, at 11:00a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 So. with a viewing onehour prior to services. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens. Onlinecondolences at www.larkincares.com
