Date of Birth: September 12, 1925
Date of Death: September 3, 2017
SCHICK – Vernon Benard was born Sept. 12, 1925, to Jacob Karl and Elizabeth (nee Neuls) Schick in Duff, SK.
In 1936, when he was 11 years old, his parents moved to the homestead at Lake Mona; Vern went to Lake Mona School for grades 6 through 9 and helped run the family farm.
Vern and Evelyn were married on June 18, 1950, at Lake Mona Lutheran Church. They then took over the Lake Mona farm where they raised their four sons, Kevin, Ricky, Kent and Carter. The family farm consisted of cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry and grain. They also drove the school bus to Duff school for 28 years.
Vern and Evelyn retired and moved to Melville in 2002. Vern moved to Caleb Village in 2014, and then in 2016, to St. Paul Lutheran Home.
Vern always loved to watch his boys play sports, whether it was fastball with the Duff Dodgers or hockey in Melville for the Millionaires, he was there. He always enjoyed working in the scorekeeper/penalty box.
Vern was an avid bookkeeper and took care of the books for the Lake Mona School and Duff United Church. In his younger years, he played the organ for both the Lake Mona and Duff church Sunday services. He also loved to play the guitar; he would play and sing around the campfire, and on occasion, he would play in church and Evelyn would sing. Vern was very skilled around the farm, and when it came to rebuilding an engine, carpentry, or electrical projects, he was always up to the task.
Vern was very kind-hearted, always making time for his boys; he sometimes would sooner pick up a ball glove and play catch for hours before tending to his chores.
Vern will be remembered as a caring and gentle man. While working the land, he would always make a point of cultivating around the duck or killdeer nests so as not to disturb nature; he would often bring wild baby rabbits home for the boys and then build a fence in which they could raise them. He also cherished his horse, Flicka.
Vern was a great caregiver and husband to his wife, Evelyn, as well as a good father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered for his big smile, his kind heart, his quirky humour and his goofy little grin; he was always in a good mood and never complained about his ailments, always caring for others before himself. Vern loved to live and had that twinkle in his eyes right to his last day.
He will be dearly missed; he has made a lasting impact on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him!
Vern was predeceased by his parents, Jacob Karl and Elizabeth (nee Neuls) Schick; his wife, Evelyn (nee Frick); two brothers, Alfie and Charlie; grandson, Christopher Schick; and three nephews, David Appenheimer and Morley and Lyndon Schick.
Vern is survived by his four sons and their families: son, Kevin (Karen), grandchildren, Kristen (Mike), Kimberly (Jared), Kathi (Toni), and great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Domenic; son, Ricky (Jane), and grandchildren, Alisha, Amber (Chad) and great-grandchildren Hunter and Wyatt; son, Kent (Darla), and grandchildren Danielle and Alexis; son, Carter (Brenda), grandchildren Carter Jr., Ben and Josh; one brother, Richard Schick; and two sisters, Jean (Ken) Wardle and Iris (Ken) Tressel.
Vern’s funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, with the Rev. Susan Griffith officiating. Participants included Kristen and Kim Schick reading
Psalm 23, Alisha Schick and Amber Spellman reading a passage from Revelations, Danielle and Alexis Schick reading selected verses from the Gospel of John, and Jane Schick reading a tribute poem. Kevin Schick shared memories on behalf of the family. Joel Ivey, accompanying himself on the guitar, sang “On the Other Side” as a tribute. Organist Gaylene Matthews led the congregation in the hymns “In the Garden” and “Amazing Grace.”
Following the service, interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery with Ben Schick, CJ Schick, Mike Mousseau, Jared Gaudet, Wade Schick, Jade Schick, Josh Schick and Chad Spellman acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements are entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
