Vernon Lawrence Peachey

Vernon Lawrence Peachey, 85, of Stevensville, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held from 10 – 11 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. The Elks Service will be conducted at 11 A.M. at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 P.M. on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at St. Augustine of Canterbury, 1753 Union Ave., Benton Harbor, MI with The Rev. Barbara A.T. Wilson officiating. Private burial will take place at Caldwell Cemetery, Eau Claire. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury or the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be shared at www.starks-menchinger.com Vernon was born on November 7, 1931 to the late Lawrence and Frances (Olds) Peachey in Eau Claire, MI. He was an educator at Sorter School, St. Joseph High School and EP Clark Elementary for many years. Vernon retired from the Cheboygan School system. He was a founder of Elks River Lodge and a lifetime member of The Elks Lodge #541, St. Joseph-Benton Harbor. Vernon enjoyed golfing, Michigan State Football and Duke Basketball. Vern loved his Oldsmobile Delta 88 ragtop Convertible and danced his way through the swing and Big Band era, leading “Vern’s Trio” and other bands on the piano.   Vernon is survived by his wife, Andrea Peachey; children, Carol Eliasson, Duane (Cindy) Peachey and Sharon (Pete) Nykamp; grandchildren, Dawn Caldwell, Shannon Brown, Tammy Perry, Kevin Eliasson, Treasure Eliasson, Holly Duthler, Justin Peachey, Brett Nykamp, Scott Nykamp, Donald Karn, Jr., Jerell Karn and Conrad Karn; step-grandson, Ihn Anderson and his cat, Butchey. A special thanks to Kim Dahmer RN and Maude Osby NA of Lakeland and Wendy Demarest of Gilead Elder Care.