Vernon Lawrence Walsh Jr.

Vern passed away March 12, 2014 in Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 71. He was born to Vernon and Ruby Hall Walsh on February 22, 1943 in Belleville, Illinois. Ruby later married Mr. Richard Gamble. Vern was raised by his grandparents, Harry and Bertha Hall in Centralia, Illinois from the age of 2 months old. He attended the Old Field Elementary School and graduated from Centralia Township High School in 1961. He also attended Centralia Junior College when it was located at the High School. Vern married Nancy Booher on June 17, 1973. She preceded him in death on August 29, 2008. He worked in sales for Shoppers Weekly Newspaper retiring in 2005. Vern became affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose on May 15, 1981 when he joined the Centralia, Illinois Lodge #1219. He received his Fellowship degree on May 30, 1988 and his Pilgrim degree on May 31, 1997. He was a past governor and a member of the 25 club having sponsored 305 members! He was awarded “Lodge Man of the Year” in 1994 and was editor of the Lodge newsletter for 20 years, winning over 18 awards from the Illinois Moose Association. Vern was editor of the Illinois Moose Association State Magazine for 11 years and was named International Shining Star Editor of the Illinois Moose Association at the Chicago International Convention in 2000. He was a life member of the Southern Illinois Moose Legion 101. He served all of the chairs in the Moose Legion and became president in 1993. In 2003 he was honored with the Moose Legion Shining Star member sponsor for the Illinois Moose Association. He served all of the chairs of the Illinois Moose Association District 10 and was president of the District in 2005. He was co-chairman of the Centralia 68th Halloween Parade in 1994. He was also a former member of the Centralia Elks Lodge. Vern came to Moosehaven on September 14, 2010 where he resided for 3 years. Memorial Service held Tuesday, March 18, 2014 in the Moosehaven Chapel at 1:30PM conducted by Rev. Helen Taylor and Pilgrims of Opportunity Lodge. He is survived by two brothers, Richard and John Gamble of Gulfport, Mississippi.