Obituary of Vernon Joseph Lagemann

A Mass of Christian Burial for Vernon Joseph Lagemann of Elsberry, MO, formerly of Center, MO, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry.  Fr. Charles Tichacek, church pastor, will officiate with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery near Elsberry.  Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Adam, Paul Adam, Jeff Adam, Adam Henderson, Mark Lagemann and Bernie Walter.  Honorary pallbearers will be Zander Henderson and Lynn McKay.

Mr. Lagemann, 88, passed away Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018 at his home in Elsberry.  Born May 15, 1929 in New Haven, MO, he was the son of Alfred L. and Louise Daley Lagemann.  He was united in marriage on October 14, 1950 in Elsberry to Evelyn Mae Davis.  This union was blessed with five children: Marijo, Christopher Joseph, David Paul, Rose Maria and Michael John.  Following the death of Evelyn in 1976, Joe later married Dolores Anna Adam McMullen in Elsberry on August 6, 1977.  He worked as a Production Supervisor at Dundee Cement Company for 24 years, retiring in 1990.  Joe was a member of the United Cement, Lime and Gypsum Workers.  He was a longtime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society.  Joe served as a Boy Scout Leader for several years and was a dedicated American Red Cross Blood Donor.  Joe and Dolores recently returned to Elsberry after living in Center for the past 25 years, where they were active members of the St. William Parish.

Joe was a lifelong hunter and fisherman.  He shared his love and enthusiasm for the outdoors with his children, grandchildren and many other young people.  Joe was a jack of all trades who never failed to share his skills with anyone who needed help.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Louise Lagemann; his first wife, Evelyn Lagemann; six brothers: Thomas “Nick”, Eddie, Vincent, Jerry, Wayne and John Lagemann, who was his identical twin; and three sisters: Dorothy Singleton, Bibiana Killebrew and Kathryn Scherer.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 40 years, Dolores Lagemann of Elsberry; five children: Marijo Lagemann of Mexico, MO, Chris Lagemann and his wife, Debra, of St. Peters, MO, Paul Lagemann of Mexico, Michael Lagemann and his wife, Cathy, of St. Ann, MO and Rose Lagemann and her fiancé, Bernie Walter, of Rapidan, VA; two step-children: Angie Henderson and her husband, Dave, of Winfield, MO and John McMullen and his wife, Cathy, of El Portal, CA; six grandchildren: Lynn McKay, Sara Henderson, Adam Henderson, Kati Henderson, Dayne Lagemann and Zandi Lagemann; and five great-grandchildren: Zander, Simon, Mae, Declan and John.  Joe also leaves one brother, Phillip Lagemann and his wife, Wilma, of Eolia, MO; one sister, Margaret Kientzy of Silex, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry.  A Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m.  Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.