Lloyd "Vern" Hamner, 87, who at various times in his life called New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, and South Dakota "home", moved one last time to his final home, Heaven, on March 22, 2013.

Vern was a young boy during the Great Depression when his parents, Douglas and Clara Hamner, moved the family from Roswell, NM to Southern California for better job opportunities. This period of time shaped many of Vern's positive qualities and perspectives, which included a strong work ethic, great
do-it-yourself skills, a solid sense of responsibility to provide for those he loved, and a wonderful sense of humor.

Vern honed his leadership skills at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, CA where he was Student Body President as well as captain of the basketball and football teams. After graduating, he entered the U.S. Navy's V-12 program as an aviation cadet. Following his discharge from the Navy at the end of WW2, Vern married Laurel Watson. They had four children and were married 28 years.

Vern was committed to serving the Lord through Christian ministry, especially with young people and later through practical ministries such as helping widows and elderly with household repairs and projects.

Vern's entire work career was spent in the clay sewer pipe manufacturing industry. Vern started as a kiln burner with Pacific Clay Products in Santa Fe Springs, CA and as a result of hard work, and earning a mechanical engineering degree, was promoted to plant superintendent. He left PCP after becoming part owner of Building Products, another clay sewer pipe manufacturing company in Phoenix, AZ.

In 1976, Vern married Margery Wiseman, and later moved to Scottsdale, AZ, where they quickly became integrated into church and neighborhood friendships. After retiring, Vern worked as a consultant. He and Margie moved to Grants Pass, OR with visions of being "gentlemen" farmers, but declining health prompted a move to Spearfish, SD where they could be closer to family.

Vern is survived by his wife, Margery; daughters, Lynda (Dennis) McBride of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Pam Johnson of Chino Valley, AZ, Lisa Hamner of Sacramento, CA; stepdaughter, Ruth Riley of Spearfish, SD; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Philip (Wannetta) Hamner.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, March 28 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel, in Spearfish. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Margery in care of Ruth Riley, 313 Yellowstone Pl., Spearfish, SD 57783 or to other family members in care of Lynda McBride, 3341 Pocahontas Dr., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Services, Spearfish, SD.