Vernon H. Cassell

Hastings resident, Vernon H. Cassell, 73, passed away Tuesday, January 03, 2012, at his home. Rosary will be Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7 PM at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Hastings, NE. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, January 6, 2012 at 10 AM at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Hastings, NE with Father Michael Houlihan officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, NE. Visitation will be Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE and one hour prior to the services at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. Michaels Catholic Church, Hastings, NE. Vernon was born January 31, 1938 to Vernon and Virginia (Hatcher) Cassell in Grand Island, NE. He was raised by Leonard and Virginia Smydra. He grew up and graduated from the Grand Island High School, in Grand Island, NE in 1956 then attended Barber College in Lincoln, NE. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and received an honorably discharged. He married Phyllis M. Dohmen on October 26, 1957, at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Island, NE. He was a barber and co-owner of the Imperial Family Hair Care, in Hastings, NE. He was a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church in Hastings, NE, where he also was in the choir. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus where he was a Fourth Degree Knight in Hastings, NE and the VFW Mens Auxiliary Hansen, Virginia. He loved to golf and read. He is survived by, 5 daughters, Christine Schafer, and husband Doug of Hastings, NE, Cindy Anderson and husband Tony of Hampton, Virginia, Colleen Partridge and husband Doug of Hastings, NE, Cheryl Rippe of Omaha, NE and Carol Lovitt of Kearney, NE. 15 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren, one brother Gary Cassell of St. Louis, MO and one sister Lenea Smydra. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Phyllis who passed away February 2009.