Vernon William Bramel, Jr., 89

Published 9:08 am Monday, April 7, 2025

Vernon William Bramel, Jr., 89, of Danville, Kentucky died peacefully in the early hours of April 5, 2025 at the Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center in Danville. Vernon was born in Bettsville, Ohio on October 9, 1935 to Vernon and Marietta (Semer) Bramel, the youngest of five brothers. He is survived by one brother, Malcolm Earl Bramel (Katherine) of Charlottesville, Virginia, and a sister, Sally Darlene (Michael) Kear of Sebring, Florida. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Richard Eugene Bramel, Charles Everett Bramel, and George Raymond Bramel. Vernon graduated from Bettsville High School and was active in the athletics programs there. He proudly played point guard for the undefeated Seneca County champion basketball team in 1954. He worked before school making donuts at the Pie House Restaurant, and in the summertime, he was one of the first lifeguards at the H.P. Eells Park near the village. Vernon enlisted in the Army after high school and left for basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Lee Jeanette, on December 9, 1954 in Auburn, Indiana. The couple recently celebrated their 70th anniversary, and she was there by his side when he passed. Vernon returned to Fort Knox for additional training before deploying to Heidelberg, Germany for a three-year assignment at 5th Surgical Hospital (Mobile Unit) Headquarters section, where he was honored as Soldier of the Month. “Private First Class Bramel’s performance of duty, his off-duty habits, immaculate manner of dress, gentlemanly conduct, and soldierly manner are beyond reproach, and have served both as an inspiration to his section, and the unit as well.” Upon completion of his service, Vernon returned to Bettsville, where he and Sharon raised five sons and one daughter. He attended college at nearby Tiffin University, where he also played for the school’s basketball team while working as a bookkeeper at local businesses. His newfound love of golf led to new affiliations that opened the door for career opportunities. For the sake of his family, he passed up an opportunity to become one of the founding fathers of the Nature Trails Golf Course where he won multiple club championships through the 1970s. Vernon worked for the Whirlpool Corporation in Clyde, Ohio for much of his career. In 1979, a transfer opportunity resulted in the family’s relocation to Danville, where the three younger children graduated from Boyle County High School. He attended many sports functions there, following the exploits of his children and grandchildren. His golf prowess earned him several honors at the Danville County Club. After retirement, Vern and Sharon vacationed frequently in Central Florida. They were among the very first residents of the Ridgefield Farms community in Danville. Along with their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all six children of Vern and Sharon survive: Mike (Kathy) of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; Randy (Joan) of Bardstown, Kentucky; Rodney (Peggy) of Kirkland, Washington; Kurt of Baltimore, Maryland; Kerry (Eric) of Danville; and Steve (Katy) of Danville. Military funeral honors and interment will be scheduled at Camp Nelson National Cemetery for a later date.