Vernard Edward Hunsaker, was born in this world on September 14, 1924 to Hubert and Katherine Alice (Walden Hunsaker in rural Adair County, Missouri. On December 8, 1946 in Kirksville, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Betty Ruth Lackey. He departed this life and entered God’s perfect rest on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Billie Hunsaker of Kirksville, MO; two daughters and son-in-law, Ronnaug and Danny Bull of Kirksville, MO and Gwenn Sporer of Raymondville, TX; one sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Harold Rogers of Kirksville, MO; and sister-in-law, Judy Lackey Meeker and husband Dennis of CA. Also surviving are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: David, Joan, Caroline, and Lauren Hunsaker of Dallas TX; Charles, Deanna, and Alicia Hunsaker of Kirksville, MO; Joshua Hunsaker of Kirksville, MO; Jeremy, Melissa, Ethan and Austin Bull of Gladstone, MO; Lance Kimberly, Nathan, and Emily Bull of Mexico, MO.

Vernard was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty Ruth Hunsaker; by his parents; a son-in-law, Gene Sporer; a brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Mae Hunsaker, and his in-laws, Earl and Cleatice Lackey.

As he used to say, Vernard was a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. He farmed all his life, but also, at one time or another, owned a bowling alley, the gas station in Troy Mills, drove a candy delivery route, worked in carpentry and drove a school bus.

Vernard found time to help make his community better by being on the LaPlata Nursing Home board for several years, an RSVP volunteer, and delivering Adair County Library books to shut-ins. He drove a LaPlata school bus for 10 years-not only drove but helped many students with problems. He never met a stranger and loved talking with neighbors and friends.

At the age of 21, Vernard became a Christian, claiming Jesus as his Lord and Savior and this relationship with Christ shaped the rest of his life. All of his children and grandchildren became Christians and Vernard played a big part in that. Many, many people were helped physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually by Vernard’s compassion and counsel. He witnessed to others that they, too, might know the salvation in Jesus and have the same joy in their lives as he had. Some of the Christian ministry activities Vernard helped with were: member of Illinois Bend Christian Church where he was saved and served as Sunday School teacher for adult and teen classes, was Sunday School Director, with his wife led the youth group, and helped with upkeep and repairs of the building. Each time he moved his family, their church membership was also moved to the church they attended. Other ministries included LaPlata Baptist Church, Bus Ministry, missions with Royal Ambassadors (boys club) for which he made the track for the annual RA pinewood derby car races for boys and girls, and Associational Brotherhood Director of then Macon Association. He was a charter member and Deacon of Sugar Creek Baptist Church and later a Deacon of Hamilton Street Baptist Church. In the last ten years or so, he went with his church friends to lead worship for residents of Twin Pines Nursing Home where he led the singing and frequently gave the devotion. Vernard was most happy when he was working for the Lord and working with others.

Public visitation will be held Sunday (July 24, 2011) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Services to celebrate Vernard’s life and triumphal entry into heaven will be 10:00 a.m. Monday (July 25, 2011) at Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville, with Pastor Charles Jackson presiding. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be David Hunsaker, Charles Hunsaker, Joshua Hunsaker, Jeremy Bull, Lance Bull and Jesse Shoemaker.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Vernard Hunsaker may be made to Hamilton Street Baptist Church for Joplin. Memorials may be left at Hamilton Street Baptist Church or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.

Vernard Edward Hunsaker, was born in this world on September 14, 1924 to Hubert and Katherine Alice (Walden Hunsaker in rural Adair County, Missouri. On December 8, 1946 in Kirksville, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Betty Ruth Lackey. He departed this life and entered God’s perfect rest on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Billie Hunsaker of Kirksville, MO; two daughters and son-in-law, Ronnaug and Danny Bull of Kirksville, MO and Gwenn Sporer of Raymondville, TX; one sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Harold Rogers of Kirksville, MO; and sister-in-law, Judy Lackey Meeker and husband Dennis of CA. Also surviving are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: David, Joan, Caroline, and Lauren Hunsaker of Dallas TX; Charles, Deanna, and Alicia Hunsaker of Kirksville, MO; Joshua Hunsaker of Kirksville, MO; Jeremy, Melissa, Ethan and Austin Bull of Gladstone, MO; Lance Kimberly, Nathan, and Emily Bull of Mexico, MO.

Vernard was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty Ruth Hunsaker; by his parents; a son-in-law, Gene Sporer; a brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Mae Hunsaker, and his in-laws, Earl and Cleatice Lackey.

As he used to say, Vernard was a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. He farmed all his life, but also, at one time or another, owned a bowling alley, the gas station in Troy Mills, drove a candy delivery route, worked in carpentry and drove a school bus.

Vernard found time to help make his community better by being on the LaPlata Nursing Home board for several years, an RSVP volunteer, and delivering Adair County Library books to shut-ins. He drove a LaPlata school bus for 10 years-not only drove but helped many students with problems. He never met a stranger and loved talking with neighbors and friends.

At the age of 21, Vernard became a Christian, claiming Jesus as his Lord and Savior and this relationship with Christ shaped the rest of his life. All of his children and grandchildren became Christians and Vernard played a big part in that. Many, many people were helped physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually by Vernard’s compassion and counsel. He witnessed to others that they, too, might know the salvation in Jesus and have the same joy in their lives as he had. Some of the Christian ministry activities Vernard helped with were: member of Illinois Bend Christian Church where he was saved and served as Sunday School teacher for adult and teen classes, was Sunday School Director, with his wife led the youth group, and helped with upkeep and repairs of the building. Each time he moved his family, their church membership was also moved to the church they attended. Other ministries included LaPlata Baptist Church, Bus Ministry, missions with Royal Ambassadors (boys club) for which he made the track for the annual RA pinewood derby car races for boys and girls, and Associational Brotherhood Director of then Macon Association. He was a charter member and Deacon of Sugar Creek Baptist Church and later a Deacon of Hamilton Street Baptist Church. In the last ten years or so, he went with his church friends to lead worship for residents of Twin Pines Nursing Home where he led the singing and frequently gave the devotion. Vernard was most happy when he was working for the Lord and working with others.

Public visitation will be held Sunday (July 24, 2011) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Services to celebrate Vernard’s life and triumphal entry into heaven will be 10:00 a.m. Monday (July 25, 2011) at Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville, with Pastor Charles Jackson presiding. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be David Hunsaker, Charles Hunsaker, Joshua Hunsaker, Jeremy Bull, Lance Bull and Jesse Shoemaker.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Vernard Hunsaker may be made to Hamilton Street Baptist Church for Joplin. Memorials may be left at Hamilton Street Baptist Church or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.