Vernal "Pooch" Caldwell, 87, a life-long Monett, MO resident, went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 16, 2020.

Pooch was born on April 27, 1932, the son of Otto and Lura Means-Caldwell.

Pooch married his high school sweetheart on October 9, 1954, in Monett. They were married for 54 years until her death in 2009.

Pooch went to Minden School, where as a 7th grader he worked as a janitor going to school early to light the stove during the winter. He was a proud member of the MHS class of '51. He sported #61RE for the Cubs when they became '49 and '50 Conference champs and played in the Marble Bowl. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard, Monett Masonic Lodge and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine. He loved attending the senior dances in the area and started a local one at the Monett Senior Center.

Pooch worked for Herman Brown-Lowe Wholesale Auto Parts for six years. He then went to work for Friend Tire Service as a bookkeeper. After a year he hit the road in sales for 26 more years. He then traded his jeans for a suit and tie as the 13th employee and first salesman for Jack Henry and Associates. When he first started he didn't know that software wasn't "soft goods" but that didn't stop him from helping the company become what it is today. After 16 years he hung up his traveling shoes and unsuccessfully tried retirement. He donned a realtor's hat for five years for Crown Double K until he finally gave in to retirement.

Vernal and Barbara proudly shared four children - Cindy Hollinger and her husband, Steve, of Paola, KS, Steve Caldwell and his wife, Barbara, of Saginaw, TX, David Caldwell and his wife, Missy, of Rocky Comfort, MO, and Jane Planchon and her husband, Randy, of Basehor, KS; six grandchildren - Amy Verstraete and her husband, Jake, of Republic, MO, Kaylee White and her husband, Pau,l of Louisburg, KS, Crayton Caldwell and his wife, Kseniya, of Bonner Springs, KS, Zach Caldwell and his wife, Carlie, of Overland Park, KS, Nathan Planchon and his wife, Jordan, of Wylie, TX, and Cooper Caldwell and his wife, Allison, of Shawnee, KS; nine and one soon to arrive great-grandchildren - Raleigh and Paityn Verstraete, Holden and Harper White, Gavin and Sofia Caldwell, Mason and Hadley Caldwell, and Amelia Planchon; and one brother, KC Caldwell, of Monett; and a very special friend, Loretta Hurlbut. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. Also by a son-in-law, Randall Scott Hollinger.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at St Lawrence Catholic Church, with Father Rahab Isidor officiating. Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, at Bennett Wormington Funeral Home, with visitation to follow until 8 p.m. Inurnment will be at Monett IOOF at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Hospital or the charity of donor's choice.

Online condolences may be made at

www.bennettwormington.com.