Vernon Null

Vernon Max Null, 64, of Rush Hill, formerly of Vandalia, died at 11 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2012 at Golden Living Center - Pin Oaks in Mexico.



Visitation will be from 10am -12 pm and funeral services will be held at Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Pickering Funeral Home with Gary Hood officiating. Burial will be in Seaton Cemetery near Dixon, Mo.



Vernon was born on October 26, 1947, in rural Pulaski County on the "Cannon Place" and was the sixth of ten children and the fourth son of Earl and Marthell (Cusick) Null. Vernon graduated from Van-Far High school in 1967 where he was active in FFA and received the FFA Young Farmers Award. He resided on the family acerage north of Vandalia with his parents until they moved into Vandalia. After the death of his parents, he moved to Rush Hill.



Vernon, in his younger years, loved coon hunting with his dog, Ole Blue. He loved country and bluegrass music and his radio was always tuned to Country 96. He was a avid Cardinal's fan.



Vernon played the guitar when his health permitted, and penned a song based on a story told by his mother about her family receiving electric lights in the rural area of Crocker, Mo. The song, "Stuck My Finger in a Socket Hole", has become a oral tradition of the family for 3 generations and will continue to be preserved by the family. He kept up on political news and current events along with all the happenings of his large extended family. Each year he was the main guest of honor at the annual family reunion, the Jen-Jam, held north of Vandalia.



Survivors include four brothers, Curtis Null (Jean) Knoxville, Iowa, Virgil Null (Vickie), Davenport, Iowa, Jimmie Null (Linda), Farber, and Joe Null, Vandalia; five sisters, Ruby Dean Chafen, Rush Hill, Neoma Beal (Calvin), Rush Hill, Violet Wells, Knoxville, Iowa, Darlene Witt (Steve) , St. Charles, Mo., and Daffany Hood (Gary), Hallsville; and 19 nieces,12 nephews, and numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents, nephews; Vernon Leo Beal, Curtis Leo Null (Simon) and Glenn Austin Null (Toby), two great nieces; Rebbecca Hood andShyra Null.



Through the grace of God and committed family members, Vernon was able to live at home and maintain his independence until the last six months of his life.