Vernon Arthur Nye

Vernon Arthur Nye, age 84, of Hessel, Michigan passed away Thursday evening, December 11, 2008 at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Vernon was born in Hessel, Michigan on February 3, 1924, the son of the late William and Selma (Johnson) Nye. He graduated from Cedarville High School with the class of 1942. On November 13, 1942, he married Elda Hamel in Detroit, Michigan. Vernie went on to serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II from April 1943 to Nov. 1945. He was a Radarman on board the USS Helm, a destroyer involved in many battles in the Pacific Theater. He also participated in the rescue operations of the USS Indianapolis, the ship that carried the first atomic bomb. He and his shipmates were proud to be part of the escort of ships during the signing of the Surrender of Japan at the end of World War II. A carpenter by trade, taught by his father, Vernie constructed many homes in the area, he also was a heavy equipment operator involved in the construction of Hwy. US 2, M-134, and I-75. As a carpenter foreman on the Mackinac Bridge, one of the projects was building the first catwalks for the ironworkers. He retired in 1987 from his own construction company. Vernie was a charter member and Past Commander of VFW Post #7958 and a 60-year member of the Les Cheneaux Masonic Lodge 590. He was one of the first members of the Clark Twp. Volunteer Ambulance Corp. and was a former Clark Township Clerk. For the last 23 years he has served as a board member of the Michigan Veteran's Trust Fund. In his youth, Vernie enjoyed playing baseball and basketball, (1st CHS team 1939). Later it was horseshoes, bowling and golf, and always he was a keen ice fisherman. He also greatly enjoyed hunting; his 14-point buck won the 1948 Detroit Free Press state award for widest spread (29 ¾"). His buck was taken in the Hessel Area and was a Michigan record that held for 22 years. Vernon is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elda Nye of Hessel; four children: Jeri (John) Griffin of Cedarville, Susan (William) Rutledge of Hessel, Tom (Debbie) of Cottonwood AZ, and Sally Nye of Charlevoix; five grandchildren: Brenda DeRosha, David (Kristy) Griffin, Andrew (Kelly) Rutledge, Gwyneth Nye, and Gillian Nye; five great grandchildren: Zachary Griffin, Ariane DeRosha, Julianne Griffin, Zoe Rutledge, and Elliot Rutledge. He is also survived by a brother: Richard (Sadie) Nye of Cedarville and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant daughters: Darlene and Diane Nye; and five siblings: Ruth Ehle, William Nye Jr., Iva Ehle, Lyle Nye, and Roy Nye. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at the Hessel Presbyterian Church. Friends may gather at the church from 12:00 noon until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Les Cheneaux Ambulance Auxiliary, P.O. Box 453, Hessel MI 49745.

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Vernon Arthur Nye

February 3, 1924 - December 11, 2008