Vernon Joseph Wieferich, age 93, of Higgins Lake, died on Friday, March 26, 2021 in Grayling.
Vernon was born December 4, 1927 in Gratiot County, Michigan, the son of Henry and Agnes (Siefker) Wieferich. He married Jo Ann O’Brien on April 11, 1953 in Lansing. Vernon worked as a hammerman for Melling Drop Forge in Lansing and retired after 42 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, hunting, pinochle, snowmobiling, tending to his lawn and gardening and volunteering his help whenever he could. Most of all, Vernon loved to spend time with his many family members. “I may not be wealthy,” he would say, “but I am rich in family.”
Vernon will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Jo Ann; children Sandy (Dave) Blair, Carla (Bob) Beatty, Mark (Lynda) Wieferich, Bryan (Melody) Wieferich, Jill (Jimmy) Prock, and Nancy (Bill) Wieferich; grandchildren Kristin, Nathan, Bobby, Sabrina, Casey, Andrew, Nicholas, Daniel, James, Jessica, Sam, Thomas, Austin, and Anthony; many, many great-grandchildren; siblings Elnora Hacker, Joyce Vibber, Armilla (DuWain) Simon, Rosella (Lyle) White, Althea (Keith) Crosslan, and Diane (Bob) Courter; siblings-in-law Tim Meyer and Susan Wieferich; and special neighbors Dan and Marilyn Heard.
He is preceded in death by his parents; grandson Matthew; great-granddaughter Harley; siblings Mareta Arnold, Ladonna Ortiz, LaVerne Wieferich, Henry Wieferich, Sandra Wieferich, and Caroline Meyer; and daughter-in-law Betsy Wieferich.
A gathering will be held at Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, with a rosary service to be held at 7:00 PM.
The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Vernon’s name to St. Vincent DePaul of Roscommon or to Impression 5 Science Center, First Impression Room, in memory of Harley.
