Vernon Barker Volbright

Vernon Barker Volbright

Vernon Barker Volbright died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, at his home of natural causes.

He was born June 20, 1918, to Bertha Barker and Edward Frank Volbright at Minot, N.D. Edward died of pneumonia 18 months later, and Bertha and Vern lived with the Barkers. Vernon always remembered his grandparents, who farmed near Minot, as "wonderful people."

When he was 7 years old, Vernon moved with his mother to Havre, Mont., where Bertha met and married Hector J. Pressly, a conductor on the Great Northern Railroad.

Vernon attended public school in Havre, eventually graduating from Havre High School. He collected many fine memories of hunting, fishing and camping with his friends in the hills and valleys around Havre.

Vern enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served 3½ years as an anti-aircraft gunner. He spent 2½ years in the Aleutian Islands. After the war he returned to Havre and spent 40 years working on the railroad there.

Vernon married his first wife, Helen Schwedik, in 1946. They had a son. He married his second wife, June Young, in 1967. After his retirement in 1979, Verna and June did a lot of traveling including to Alaska and Hawaii as well as California and Arizona.

He was preceded in death by two step- brothers, Jack Pressly and Rod Pressley.

He is survived by

his son, Garth of Havre; granddaughter Tegan; grandson Brandon andgreat grandson Calder, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held later in the spring.

Memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church in Havre or the Bear Paw Hospice.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Vernon Barker Volbright died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, at his home of natural causes.

He was born June 20, 1918, to Bertha Barker and Edward Frank Volbright at Minot, N.D. Edward died of pneumonia 18 months later, and Bertha and Vern lived with the Barkers. Vernon always remembered his grandparents, who farmed near Minot, as "wonderful people."

When he was 7 years old, Vernon moved with his mother to Havre, Mont., where Bertha met and married Hector J. Pressly, a conductor on the Great Northern Railroad.

Vernon attended public school in Havre, eventually graduating from Havre High School. He collected many fine memories of hunting, fishing and camping with his friends in the hills and valleys around Havre.

Vern enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served 3½ years as an anti-aircraft gunner. He spent 2½ years in the Aleutian Islands. After the war he returned to Havre and spent 40 years working on the railroad there.

Vernon married his first wife, Helen Schwedik, in 1946. They had a son. He married his second wife, June Young, in 1967. After his retirement in 1979, Verna and June did a lot of traveling including to Alaska and Hawaii as well as California and Arizona.

He was preceded in death by two step- brothers, Jack Pressly and Rod Pressley.

He is survived by

his son, Garth of Havre; granddaughter Tegan; grandson Brandon andgreat grandson Calder, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held later in the spring.

Memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church in Havre or the Bear Paw Hospice.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.