Vernon Lee Kirchof

Vernon Lee Kirchof, 91 years old, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2019. Vern was born June 4, 1927, in DeLeon Springs, FL to Randolph Otto Kirchof, Jr. and Edna Flowers Kirchof. He grew up with ‘sand in his shoes' while hunting and fishing on local lakes and the St. John's River with his
grandfather, Otto, who immigrated from Germany to Volusia County in 1890, and his many uncles from the Flowers and Kirchof families. After graduating from Deland High School, he enlisted in the United States Army. serving in WWII as a Sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division. Before graduating from Stetson University in 1949, Vern played football for the Hatters and was a lifeguard on Daytona Beach. After graduation, Vern taught biology and coached football at Orlando High School before returning to the Army and serving during the Korean War. While at Ft. Benning in Georgia, Vern met the love of his life, Isabel (Lisa) Pluta of Gilbertville, MA. They were married for 68 years until her death in May of 2017. Following his service in the Army, Vern began a corporate career that covered five decades with Sun Oil, Anchor Hocking, and The Ball Corporation. Business associates and customers became lifelong
friends enriching and shaping the life of his family. His career took the family from Florida to Dallas, TX; Palos Verdes, CA; Lancaster, OH; Wilton, CT; and Muncie, IN before retiring with Lisa in Ormond Beach, FL.
During his life, Vern was an avid sportsman whether it be racquetball, golf, hunting, fishing, coaching his boys, or attending Dallas Cowboy football games both home and away. Whether hunting birds on ranches and farms across North America, fresh and saltwater fishing, or packing an
elk off the mountain in Colorado in his 60's, his love of the outdoors was exceeded only by his love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and close friends. Vern was most proud of his family of four boys, their wives, and his grandchildren. Steven and Maggie live in Orlando, FL; Randy and Karen (deceased) in Hillsborough, NC; Kurt and Nancy in Sugarland, TX; and Peter and Pam in Dallas, TX. Both Lisa and Vern were devoted grandparents to
Brady, Emily, Maddie, Colin, Kate, Grace, and Otto. Vern was predeceased by his parents, Edna and Randy; brother, Lloyd; sister, Mary Jane (Fitzpatrick); and his loving wife, Lisa.