From the 1973 yearbook	From the obituary

The officers and members of the Jacksonville Retired Firefighter Association are saddened to report that

Retired JFRD Rescue Lieutenant Vern E. Foster passed away Wednesday October 19, 2022.

Verne Edwin Foster, 92, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. He was born August 31, 1930 in Peoria, Illinois and son of the late June W. Foster and Claire B. DeLoach Foster.

He enlisted in the US Air Force on October 10, 1950 and retired on August 31, 1990 as a SMSGT. He also retired as a Lieutenant with the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department after serving for more than 20 years.

Verne loved music and was known for singing “The Lighthouse”. He also directed choirs at several churches: Eastport Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Oceanway and Franklin Street Baptist Church. Verne collected guns and collector series model cars. He was a Civil War buff and wrote 2 books on the Civil War.

Preceded in death by his 1st wife, Hazel Elizabeth Foster; his daughter, Lynne Vinson his brother, Bill Foster and his sister Alice Bowen.

Surviving family include his wife, Betty Foster; 1 son: Gary (Susan) Foster; 1 son-in-law: Jack Vinson; 3 step-sons: Clark (Bonnie), John (Gina) and Paul; 5 grandchildren: Kevin, Geoffrey, Corey, Michelle and Sondra; 6 great grandchildren: Andrew, Skylar, Teagan, Maddox, Chase and Miles; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren and extended family.

Celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Franklin Street Baptist Church, 2521 Franklin Street with Dr. Terry Gore, officiating. Burial with US Air Force Military Honors will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

His family will receive friends from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Tuesday at Peeples Family Funeral Home, 14165 N. Main Street.