Vernon Dale VanHorn, 76, Lane, an Osawatomie native, died Sunday, March 24, 1996, at Mercy Hosptial in Fort Scott.

He was born March 30, 1919, in Osawatomie, the oldest of two children of Fred and Mabel Ellen Chrisjohn VanHorn. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School in the Class of 1937.

He was married Jan. 4, 1937, to Mary Christine Matherly. They made their home in Wichita and then Osawatomie. They became the parents of three daughters.

Mr. VanHorn went to work for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. He was foreman at the time he went into the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was inducted into the Army Aug. 3, 1943, and was disccharged Sept. 29, 1944. He reenlisted Sept. 30, 1944, and was discharged Nov. 17, 1945, as second lieutenant. He was a bombardier and later a bombardier instructor.

After his military service, he went to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a switchman and then became a conductor and retired in May 1980.

As a boy, he attended the Baptist Church. He was a member of the UTU and the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees.

He enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing and gardening.

His parents and a brother preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Mary VanHorn of the home; three daughters, Judith Kay Scheinert, Linda Lee VanHorn and Rebecca Lynn Eilts, all of Osawatomie; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The Rev. Ray Brunet officiated. "Life's Railway to Heaven" and "In The Garden" were the songs.

Military services were conducted at the Osawatomie Cemetery by a unit from Fort Riley. Pallbearers were Richard Grant, Bill Graves, John Graves, Bruce Godfrey, Larry Isenhower, J. D. Scheinert and Chris Goodell. Honorary bearers were B. J. Eilts and Steve Hansen.