James Albert Vernier, age 89, of Shiloh, Ill., born August 15, 1931 in Belleville, Ill., passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday morning, March 7, 2021.

Raised in Belleville, Ill., he attended Cathedral High School. He enlisted in the US Army in 1949 at age 18, and served in Infantry in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the Korean Service Medal with five service stars.

After returning from the war he worked at SAFB Medical Center, before moving to Naples, Florida. There, Mr. Vernier was the Director of the Electrodiagnostic Lab at Naples Community Hospital, and the owner of Slathouse Nursery & Property Maintenance in Naples. He enjoyed his life in Florida and spent his time fishing, boating, and hunting in the Everglades. In 2008, he moved back to Shiloh where he could be with his sons and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Amelia, nee Gausepohl, Vernier; his wife Sylvia Ann, nee Schmid, Vernier (formerly of Holmesville, Ohio); his daughter-in-law Charleen Vernier; his infant son James; and his sisters Florence (John) Tobias, Mary Theresia (Norm) Helfrich, and Virginia (John) Brandt.

Surviving are his sons Mike (Diane) Vernier of O'Fallon, Larry (Cathy) Vernier of Charlotte, N.C., Kevin (Lori) Vernier of Shiloh, James (Ellen) Vernier of Shiloh, and Jay Vernier of Shiloh; his former wife and mother of his children Lorraine, nee Havel, Vernier. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Justin Vernier, Heather Vernier, Andrea Vernier, Abby Vernier, and Amanda Vernier; and his sister Rose Helen (Bill) Koerner.

Condolences may be offered at www.wfh-ofallon.com . Memorial donations are suggested to Heartland Hospice or Corpus Christi Catholic Church and may be mailed to the funeral home. The Vernier family is grateful to his longtime caregiver Lisa Larcom, and others who provided care and compassion.

A private family graveside service with military honors will be held at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Illinois, with Msgr. James Margason officiating.