Vernon Alva Slagle was born April 29, 1922, south of Thomas, Oklahoma, to James Henry "Otho" Slagle and Fannie Elizabeth (Shantz) Slagle and passed away on June 18, 2024, at Maple Lawn Manor in Hydro, Oklahoma, at the age of 102 years, 1 month and 19 days.

Vernon was raised in the Thomas area and attended the Swan and Mulberry rural schools. At the age of 13, he went to Iowa with his brother, Henry, and worked for area farmers. Times were bad and he worked hard. Vernon accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was active in his church. He was spreading the good news of salvation to others up to the last couple days of his life. On June 19, 1942, Vernon married Lavern Bachman and six months later he was drafted. He served in the US Air Force for 3 years and 2 months. When the war was over, they moved to the Manson, Iowa area where he farmed and they raised their 6 children.

Lavern passed away June 28, 1993, after a long illness. Three years later Vernon made a trip to the area where he was born in Oklahoma to find a new home where he wouldn't have to shovel snow all winter. There he met Roberta Stutzman and they were married on June 22, 1996. They had 28 wonderful years together. Vernon was a great gardener and was known for his beautiful yards, bountiful gardens and hundreds of trees that he planted. He loved to hunt and fish.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Roberta of their home in Weatherford, Oklahoma; one son, Keith Slagle and wife Esther of Fort Dodge, Iowa; four daughters, Marilyn Lind and husband Don of Hutchinson, Kansas, Marlene Springer and husband Ted of Middlebury, Indiana, Cheryl Slabaugh of Chandler, Arizona, and Charlene Leaman of Manheim, Pennsylvania; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-three great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lavern; son, Phillip Slagle; and son-in-law, Glen Slabaugh.