Vernon Ingrum

ST. JOSEPH – Vernon R. Ingrum of St. Joseph passed away at home on Friday (Dec. 26, 2014) with his wife and children by his side.

According to his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand, St. Joseph. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. preceding the service.

Vern was born on March 28, 1924, in Tuscola to Samuel and Nova (Baker) Ingrum.

He graduated from Newman High School in 1941 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a pharmacist's mate 1st class in World War II until 1945.

After the war, Vern went to college on the G.I. Bill, receiving his bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1949. He also received his master's degree from Eastern in 1959, and earned his advanced degree in education in 1968 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

He married Joanna Byrd on April 24, 1947, in Charleston. They celebrated 67 years together this past spring.

The majority of Vern's career was spent in education. He began his teaching and coaching career in Robinson. He went on to be a principal in Winnebago and Kankakee, then served as superintendent of schools in Kirkland. He returned to Robinson, where he retired as superintendent of schools in 1984.

One of his proudest career achievements was when, as the high school baseball coach in Kirkland, he led the team to five consecutive conference championships and four district championships.

Vern and Joanna have three children: daughter Joy McClaugherty, who also lives in St. Joseph with her husband Ralph and son Noah; son Jim, who lives in Ogden with his wife Sharon, daughter Hannah and son Layne; and daughter Jill, who lives in Westfield, Ind.

Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 634 or the St. Joseph/Swearingen Library in St. Joseph.