Vernon Sorensen Jr.

RANSOM-  Vernon F. “Junior” Sorensen Jr. of Mackinaw, formerly of Ransom and Gardner, died Sunday afternoon (Apr. 14, 2013) at Methodist Medical Center, Peoria.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator with Rev. Danita Parra, officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday at Hagi Funeral Home, additional visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM Thursday. Burial will be in Allen Township Cemetery, Ransom.
Mr. Sorensen was born Aug. 23, 1935 in Gardner the son of Vernon and Marjorie (Schroeder) Sorensen Sr. He married Denise (Brockman) Myers, Aug. 16, 1974 in Macomb. She survives.
Junior had been employed as a truck driver for Fatlan Trucking, Gardner, O’Brien Construction, Morris and Consolidated Freightways, Peru, prior to his retirement. He was of Methodist Faith. Vern was a member of the Teamsters Union, Lions Club, a former member of the Gardner School Board, and had been instrumental in forming the Gardner Area Youth Baseball League. He was an avid bowler, golfer, fisherman and woodworker who took pride in his yard and garden. He was also an avid Cubs fan.
Junior attended the Red Schoolhouse in Goodfarm and was looking forward to his upcoming 60th class reunion, to be celebrated by the Gardner-South Wilmington High School class of 1953.
He is survived by his wife Denise, three daughters, Sandra (Steve) Hunsaker, Swansea IL, Dawn (Jim) Reed, Dwight, Beth (Phil) Carlo, Coal City, one son, David (Roni) Sorensen, Essex, one stepdaughter, Amy Legner, Mackinaw, one step son, John (Erika) Myers, Charlotte NC, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, two sisters, Wilma (Tom) Waller, Canton GA and Beverly Chism, Lantana FL. and his dog, Daisy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two nieces, Katherine Waller and Debbie Cooper as well as several aunts and ancles.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Ken and Ryan Sorensen, brother-in-law Tom Waller, good friends, John Blair, Robbie Williamson and Kenny McComb.
Memorials may be made to the family for the Heritage Lake Conservation Project in his memory.