Vernier, John “Johnny” Keith
62 of Hillsboro, MO, died January 12, 2021 at Mercy Hospital South in St Louis. John was a Registered Nurse at Mercy South and was retired US Navy where he served for 21 years on Submarines and served during Operation Desert Storm. He was a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Hillsboro, MO. He was born May 30th, 1958 in Belleville Illinois; he was the son of John A. Vernier and the late Elizabeth Vernier (Schaefer).
He is survived by his wife of 37 years Elise (Pool) Vernier and his three daughters, Christine (Robert) Kelly-Clark of Desoto, Heather (Douglas) Strong of Ishikawa in Japan, and Amber (Kurt) Joseph of Mascoutah, IL; his siblings Mary Beth (Larry) Mueller of Fults Il, Gigi (Mark) Drexler of Virginia Beach VA, and Cathie (Ray) Martinich of Haslet, TX; and his brother Robert (Barb) Vernier of Waterloo, IL; his father John Albert Vernier and his stepmother Lavern Vernier; his 5 step siblings, John (Beth) Biethman of Los Angeles, CA, Jeffrey (Janice) Biethman of Red Bud, IL, Jason Biethman of Clayton, North Carolina, Jared (Sherri) Biethman of Eagle, ID, and Jenifer (William) Ellner of Columbia, IL; his 6 grandchildren, Samantha (Sam), Robert (Bobby) Jr., Nathan (Nate), Catriona (Kitty), Sebastian (Harpo), and Theodore (Bear). He is preceded in death by his late mother, Elizabeth (Schaefer) Vernier and his grandmother Virginia (Zollner- Vernier) Grandcolas. John was a member of The National Chief Petty Officers Association.
Services: Visitation on Friday, January 15th at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with funeral service on Saturday, January 16, 12:00 p.m. officiated by Bishop Mike Polansky. Interment with full military honors will be later in May of 2021 in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials to Autism Speaks or D.A.V. Disabled American Veterans, appreciated.
May your memories sustain you during these difficult days and know that there are those that love you and care deeply.
John was a good man and outstanding Nurse. He was very proud of his familyJohn was very proud of his family. We spent many nights, side by side.
Farewell my friend,
Bill
My prayers are with your family I pray for peace and healing of the emptiness. John was such a Wonderful Man.. he will be dearly missed…
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family. He was a true patriot, that cared so much for the future of the American people.
John was a dedicated man in whatever he did. Whether it was as a Father, Veteran, PSO, or Nurse. He was truly a kind soul. He will be missed. Rest Easy John. You have earned it.
To John Keith Family
It is with great sadness to hear of John Kaeith passing, he will be missed by all.
Growing up the family lived next to my grand parents, the Falbe’s and John Keith and all the family provided helpful and kind support to them.
Jean and I offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to all of you in these sad times with this horrible virus.
Rich & Jean Schaefer
To Elise and family,
We were so sorry to hear of John’s passing.
I am Clem and Rita Schafer’s daughter. Aunt Betty and my dad were siblings.
When we were kids, we had a lot of good times with our cousins at the Vernier home.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. We pray that God will strengthen you all now and in the days ahead.
God’s Peace,
Nancy and Mark Rohde
My sincere condolences to the family. John was an outstanding Sailor and Submariner, may he Rest In Peace!
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May each of you find strength and peace during this transition. John was a compassionate, caring, funny, selfless human being. I am thankful to have worked along side of him as a fellow RN. Farewell friend. You will be greatly missed!
I’m so sorry for your loss. John was a friend, and will be deeply missed. He was very loyal to all around him. My prayers go out to the family. It’s a sadder place without John.
We Will Miss You,
Bill Taylor
My sincere condolences. John was not only my friend, he was a trusted shipmate and fellow Submarine Qualified Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman. Rest your oars John, we have the watch.