Vernon John Compas

Vernon John Compas, 88, of Cape Girardeau died peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born July 16, 1935, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Leo and Clara Diebold Compas. Vernon married the love of his life, Elwanda Macke, June 20, 1959. He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. Vernon was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1111 and of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association. He taught for 33 years - physical education at Franklin school, Cape Girardeau, MO and early in his career at Thebes Elementary School and May Green. He also coached basketball. When Vernon retired from teaching, he and Elwanda worked for Day Transfer Moving Company packing up houses for moving military members. He loved to fish and hunt and passed that onto his sons. Vernon and Elwanda spent their retirement years going on cruises all over the world. Survivors include four sons all from the Cape Girardeau area, Keith (Rhonda) Compas, Tim (Beverly) Compas, Jim (Penny) Compas, Kevin (Janice) Compas, and one daughter, Tammy (Alan) Rehm of North Port, Florida; 11 grandchildren Jonathan (Jessica) Compas, Jordan Compas, Brandi (Leighton) Compas, Matt (Baily) Compas, Josh (Kaley) Compas, Benjamin (Hannah) Rehm, Andrew (Coree) Rehm, Christopher Rehm, Colleen (Colby) Reed, Ryan (Marissa) Compas, Tyler Compas; 2 step grandchildren Brittany Sanders, Brandon Burnell; 10 great grandchildren; 4 step great grandchildren; two sisters, Clara Cruickshank of Florida and Bernice Glass of St. Louis; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Compas of Jackson, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers Leo Compas, Elmer Compas and Raymond Compas of Cape Girardeau; and 3 sisters, Rita Yarborough of Cape Girardeau, Betty Henley of Grayling, Michigan, and Lucille Waters of Southwell Fleet, Massachusetts. We wish to thank the employees at Chateau Girardeau for taking good care of Vernon while he was there. Friends may call at the Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mount Auburn from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2023 with parish prayers starting at 7 and a Knights of Columbus rosary service to follow. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023 at St. Mary Cathedral in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com

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Vernon John Compas

July 16, 1935 - December 9, 2023