August 15, 1930 ~ June 13, 2020
Vernie came into this world on August 15, 1930 on a farm east of Renfrow, OK and left this world for a better place on June 13, 2020. He had been in the loving care of The Commons Health Center in Enid, OK.
He was the fifth child of Joseph and Mary (Maly) Lebeda's nine children. He also had three half siblings. He was the last surviving sibling.
He attended Eureka Elementary School through his eighth-grade year. His high school years were at Caldwell High School where he graduated with the class of '49. He loved telling stories of his high school pranks he had with is buddies. He relived his football days watching his son play the sport he loved.
He met and married the love of his life Olive “Poppy” Lamb on August 18, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They lived on a farm east of Renfrow, Oklahoma all but the last four years of his life. To that union four children were born Dean, Myra, Willa May, and Anna. Unfortunately, Willa May didn't survive through birth. He was very proud of his family and all their accomplishments.
He lived the farmers life all his life. The last few years, he may not have been physically on the farm, but his mind was still there. He loved nature and watching the different crops grow. With that being said, his feet were on the ground, but his heart was in the sky. His passion was being a pilot. He owned and flew several planes in his lifetime. As a pilot he did some crop dusting, transported prisoners around the country, and once transported a deceased person but only did that once because it freaked him out, so he never offered that service again. He mostly flew just for the love of flying. He once stated that he felt closer to God in an airplane than anywhere else. Before he took to the air he tried his hand at car racing. He drove a car at the 81 Speedway dirt track in Wichita, KS. He did that until he decided that is was too dangerous for a guy starting a family. For the rest of his life he would enjoy watching racing from the safety of his recliner at home.
He is survived by his wife Olive “Poppy”. His son Dean (Michelle) of Renfrow and grandkids Brandy (Jeff) Morgan of Waxahachie, TX, Pam (Seneca) Smith of Jenks, OK, Jonathan (Rachel) of Enid, OK, Matthew (Ami) of Caldwell, KS. Daughter Myra Harding of Enid, OK, grandkids Gina Overstreet of Enid, OK, Shonda (John) Rea of Lansing, KS, Chuck (Cari) of Oklahoma City, OK. Daughter Anna (Dale Elliot) Fletcher of Stockton, MO and grand dog Elsa. He had 18 great grandkids.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and all his siblings Alice, Frank, Melo, Joe, Ilene, Anna May, Mary Jane, Milan, Ernie, Dewight, Glady and infant daughter Willa May.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2020 at the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in memory of Vernie to the Circle of Love Hospice and may be left in care of the mortuary.
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Prayers and Thoughts
Renea (Ryan) Papen - 06/17/2020
Dear Lebeda Family and loved ones,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones at this difficult time.
I’m so saddened to learn of your family’s loss.
Please find comfort in all the wonderful and loving memories you shared with your loving husband, Daddy, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa.
Sincerely,
Renea Ryan Papen
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To our friends...Vernie’s family.
Dani Berline - 06/17/2020
So many memories of your family & ours. Camping, cards, times at each other’s homes.... Love & hugs to you all.
The Berlines
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