Vernon Merle Marsolf, Jr., 63, of Mountain View was born to Vernon ”Merle” Marsolf, Sr. and Erma JoAnn ”Jody” Shutts on December 6, 1961 in El Monte, California. Vernon passed from his earthly life on February 26, 2025 in Mountain View, AR. Vernon was a Christian and an ordained Missionary Baptist Deacon.
Vernon was a meat cutter by trade for 42 years. He was also a cattle farmer and raised chickens. After Vernon retired, he spent time working on his farm with his wife, son, and grandsons. He also spent many days working with Gage on various projects around his house and farm. Vernon’s favorite hobby was fishing whether it was in a river, creek, pond, lake, or the ocean. He told stories about fishing in ”the big ditch” with his grandpa in Wichita when he was little and of times when he, his brother, and best friend would fish all day at the creek and bring back their catch for his mom to fix for supper. He passed on his love of fishing to his son and grandsons. He even bought a boat so that he could take them out on the river and lake. One of his favorite fishing trips was going Red Snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with his son, Matt, son-in-law, Adam, grandsons Jayden and Blake, and grandson-in-law Alex. The ”boys” caught bigger fish than Papa did that day, but Papa had the best time watching them do it. Vernon loved life. He loved to laugh, joke, and tease his kids and grandkids which included telling them that he was only 38 because he couldn’t be older than his Grandpa Shutts who always told him that he was only 39. He was always his kids and grandkids biggest fan.
Vernon moved to Arkansas in 1976 and met his wife Lela Hill shortly thereafter. They were married on May 25, 1979. During their 45 years together, they went on many adventures both inside and outside of the U.S. They had 2 children, Heather and Matt. Vernon loved to take his kids hunting, fishing, and swimming. He even coached Heather’s peewee basketball teams and Matt’s peewee basketball teams and baseball teams. He was especially proud to become a grandfather, or Papa. Being a Papa meant that he could ”spoil them and send them home” and that ”Mom and Dad’s rules don’t apply at Nana and Papa’s house” and he proved that point over and over again.
Vernon is survived by his loving wife, Lela, of 45 years, his daughter Heather Berry and husband Adam of Fox, son Matt Marsolf and wife Kristin of Mountain View, mother Jody Sebert and stepfather Harry of Turkey Creek, brother Monty Marsolf and wife Khymm of San Antonio, TX, sister Teresa Leonard and husband Glen of Andover, KS, sister Deanna Boso and husband Scott of Andover, KS, grandchildren Taryn Beach and husband Alex, Makena Marsolf, Gage Marsolf, Jayden Berry, Blake Marsolf, Adalyn Berry, Kinley Marsolf and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Vernon is preceded in death by his father Merle Marsolf, stepmother Theresa Marsolf, and his granddaughter Braylen Berry.
Visitation is Monday, March 3, at Roller Crouch Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service is Tuesday, March 4, at the Herpel Missionary Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. Internment at Herpel Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Brother Alex Beach and Brother Jace Tinkle officiating.
Pallbearers were Jayden Berry, Blake Marsolf, Jack Glenn, JL Brewer, Dan Buckingham, and Keenan Glenn
Honorary Pallbearers were Taryn Beach, Makena Marsolf, Gage Marsolf, Adalyn Berry, Kinley Marsolf, and Gene Plummer
Roller Crouch Funeral Home was in charge of these arrangements.
