LaVern D. "Vern" Dye, 73

Funeral services for LaVern D. "Vern" Dye, 73, of Sidney, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Church of Christ in Sidney, with Rev. Richard Eggar officiating. Song leader is Richard Danielson. Casketbearers are Steve Krogstad, Russel Johnson, Charles Dowse, Bryan Gartner, Tim Baisch and Mick Scott. Honorary casketbearers are Vern's church family and neighbors. Ushers are Gary Schow and Darvin Ruggles. Under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.

LaVern "Vern" Douglas Dye, was born on April 8, 1931, in Aberdeen, S.D., to parents, Clayton and Lena (Olson) Dye. The farnily moved to Kalispell, when he was five years old. He attended school in Kalispell,

At the age of 17, Vern began working for John's Buick and then Kom Buick. Vern started by cleaning the shop and worked through being a mechanic, auto body painter, parts man to shop manager until 1979.

He moved to Sidney in 1979 and worked at Valley Motors for a short time and then started at Hi-Line Trucking. He worked as a mechanic at Hi-Line Trucking until his retirement. After retirement he drove the athletic bus for the Sidney School System and for Chuck Dowse.

Vern was a member of the Elks Club. He was exalted ruler in 1971-1972 and again in 1977-1978. He also served as Santa Claus for two or three years. He was very active with the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years. He was a National Guard member for some years. He was a member of the Sidney Church of Christ.

After moving to Sidney, he met and was united in maniage to Elvira "Vi" (Ostenson) Schumacher on April 5, 1980.

Vern died Wednesay morning, March 30, 2005, at the Sidney Health Center, after a short illness.

Vern is survived by his wife, Elvira, "Vi"; sons, Jeffrey Lane Dye of Lafayette, Calif., and Douglas Earl Dye of Miami; daughters, Paula and Brian Craig of Discovery Bay, Calif., Lori and George Hagosian of Rocklin, Calif., Jami and Mike Jenkins of Longmont, Colo., and Jeri and Chris Keith of Salida, Calif.; stepson, Steven and Kim Welsh; brother, William and Barbara Dye of Kalispell; stepbrothers, Les and Neva Foy, and Virgil and Dottie Foy of Kalispell; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clayton Dye; mother, Lena (Olson) Foy; two brothers, Dennis and David; and a sister Beverly Kirk.