Vern E. Anderson, 77, of Battle Creek, died Sun, Jan 17, 1993, at home.
Mr. Anderson was born Apr 21, 1915, in Kalkaska to O. William and Ida (Akelin) Anderson. He was raised in Kalkaska and entered the U.S. Army in 1942, serving until 1945. He received a European - African Middle Eastern Ribbon with four Bronze Stars and a Bronze Star Medal. He served in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe as a sergeant.
After WWII, he lived in Port Huron until 1956, then Lansing, and moved to Battle Creek in 1957.
He graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1932 and attended Central Michigan State Teacher's College, now Central Michigan University. He taught in Kalkaska rural one room county schools from 1932 to 1942. After returning from the military, he taught in 1945 and 1946 while attending college.
He joined the Michigan Employment Security Commission as a claims interviewer in Port Huron, then Lansing and later was transferred to Battle Creek, retiring as MESC branch manager in Apr 1975 after 29 years with the agency.
He had been a member of Battle Creek Bible Church since 1957 and served as an usher for 20 years.
He was a board member an vice president of Goodwill Industries, chairman of Battle Creek Area Council to Help Hire the Handicapped, former board member of the Battle Creek Area Urban League and Battle Creek Area Council on Human Relations, founding board member of Community Action Agency and former chairman of the government division of the Battle Creek Area United Fund Campaign.
He was a member of CETA Manpower advisory council, the Calhoun County Community Council, Battle Creek Area Personnel Management Association of Public Employees and the Battle Creek Area Social Workers Executive Association.
He was a former member of the Battle Creek and Lakeview Exchange clubs and the Jaycees, and a former Cub Scout leader at Coburn School.
In 1966, he received a citation from President Johnson's Commission on Hiring the Handicapped for his effort in helping handicapped persons secure jobs, and received a sate of Michigan Special Tribute for Career Accomplishments and Leadership in Public Service and Hiring the Handicapped.
On Nov 3, 1946, he married Mary G. (Shrauger) Anderson in Falmouth. She survives.
Also surviving are sons, Stephen Anderson of Lansing and Brian Anderson of Ann Arbor; daughters, Linnea Anderson of Lansing and Kathy Meyers of Battle Creek; four grandchildren; and a sister, Lillian Hunsberger of Lake City.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services were held Wed, Jan 20, at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. The Rev. Larry T. Messer and the Rev. Gary Cantrell officiated.
Burial was at Fort Custer National Cemetery, with military honors by the cemetery honors by the cemetery honor guard.
Memorial may be given to Battle Creek Bible Church or Good Samaritan Hospice Care.
