Frances Lorraine Vernon

Frances Lorraine Vernon, 90, of Plainfield, always preferred her middle name. Frances was her mother, who gave birth to Lorraine Switzer on March 14, 1921. As a child, Lorraine preferred playing and working, particularly with her father, Albert, outside on the family farm near Otterbein, Indiana. She also enjoyed her time with older siblings, William and Alberta. Lorraine attended and graduated from Otterbein High School, going on to Indiana University to study nursing for two years. She met her future husband, Lawrence Norman Vernon, in French class, when he stumbled over her feet trying to get to his seat. Apparently, he had trouble with an opening line. Unfortunately, during their college days, the United States entered World War II. Norman was drafted and transferred initially to the east coast. Lorraine followed him there and worked for an airline in Washington, D.C., for a short time. They were married in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 15, 1942. Although they were separated while Norman served on the European front, they reunited and remained together for a total of 69 years. During that time, they were wonderful parents to three children. They chose central Indiana as their home base for many years, living in Hazelwood, Danville, Martinsville, and Plainfield. For a few years, they lived on Lake Lemon near Unionville, Indiana, and in Bradenton, Florida. Her preference for the outdoors continued throughout her life. She particularly enjoyed finding and collecting fossils and shells and discovering the treasures hidden in garage sales. Her other great passion was travelling. She visited every U.S. state as well as several European countries. She and Norman were often seen driving their RV on the state highways during the 1980’s. She will be much missed by her husband; children, Lorinda Day (husband, William Henry Day, II), Terri Horvath (husband, Dennis Horvath), and Larry Vernon (wife, Rebecca Rodman Vernon); grandchildren, Lori Zimmerman, Trace Day, Deanna Day, Evan Vernon, Emerson Vernon, and Embry Vernon; and eight great-grandchildren, Catherine Jean (Carroll) Schlick; Amanda Carroll, Jesse Day, Rachel Day, Parker Day, Zoey Day, Madison Turner, and Matthew Turner. They will celebrate her life in a ceremony at Hampton Gentry, 106 Shaw St, Plainfield, on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. Viewing begins at 12:30 p.m.