CHERRYVALE — Vernon R. Blake, 76, of Cherryvale died on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at his home.

He was born on July 12, 1934, in Cherryvale to Walter V. Blake and Mabel Mae Thompson. He grew up in Cherryvale and attended schools there.

He bought cattle for Gibbon Packing in Gibbon, Neb., until retiring in 2005 because of his ailing health.

On Aug. 7, 1980, he married Vera Austin in Joplin. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include three daughters, Vicki N. Doherty of Independence, Sherrie E. Coffey of Coffeyville and Tammy L. Baker of Thayer; four sisters, Patricia Liles of Dayton, Ohio, Sylvia Gibson and Linda Eisenbart, both of Cherryvale, and Bonnie Leahew of Bartlesville, Okla.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Don Blake and John Blake; and a grandson.

The service will be at 10 a.m. today at Potts Chapel of Cherryvale. The family may be contacted at the Vernon Blake residence, 1517 E. Fifth, Cherryvale, for visitation. The family will have a private inurnment later.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas, Cherryvale Rural Fire Department or the Cherryvale EMS and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 801, Independence, 67301.