LaVerne R. Squires Racine – Vern Squires, 85, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2008 He was born in Arnold, Wisconsin on September 3, 1923, son of the late George and Wilhelmina (nee: Venzke) Squires. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Randal Poppe and Rev. Thomas Chryst officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home Thursday, October 2, 2008 from 5-7 pm, and Friday in the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Vern served in WWII with the US Navy on Midway Island. He married Elsie Frederich on February 21, 1948 in Racine. They were married by the late Rev. Bartz at Grace Lutheran Church where they are both active members today. Vern found a wonderful lot in Racine to build a fabulous home. Vern built a garage as his temporary home to start his family with son Joe and daughter Audrey. They all celebrated Christmas Eve of 1948 in the garage and then started the construction of the permanent home. The fall of 1951 they moved into the permanent home where the family grew with another son Rick in 1952. Vern and Elsie have many stories to tell of the building of their home and can proudly say it is still their home today nearly 60 years later. Vern started his working life as a spray painter, but took advantage of the Veteran's GI bill to learn the skilled trade of carpenter. He worked for Barr Homes for nearly 30 years and then worked for himself doing custom carpentry. Vern retired in the mid 1980's and enjoyed sitting on the porch under the oak tree in the front yard. Vern and Elsie both enjoyed going to antique sales and garage sales. These sales help to supply his second passion in life collecting antique tools and refinishing and repairing furniture. Vern also enjoyed gardening and taking long walks. The last years of his life was slowed by arthritis, so he lost his passion the puttering in his garage, which became his storage area for all the years of tools collecting. Vern is survived by his wife Elsie, son Joe Squires, Union Grove, WI son Rick & Leah Squires, Monument, CO, daughter Audrey (Jack) Fedor, Racine, brothers Clayton and George and sisters Lorna Bartley and Darlene (Jerry) Sherritt, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Memorials of your favorite choice are suggested.