Vernon Fenney, 91, passed on peacefully in his sleep the morning of Sunday, October 6, 2024, at his home in Merrill, WI.
Vernon (Sonny) was born in Kingston, NY, on May 22, 1933, to Vernon S and Dorothy E Fenney. Vern was the oldest of four sons and held a unique relationship with each one of his brothers. He grew up hunting in the Catskill Mountains, road motorcycles (well into his eighties), drove semi trucks all along the east coast, and served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1951-1961. After his discharge and with the support of the GI Bill, Vern attended the Allied Institute of Technology in Chicago where he became a master machinist. Chicago is also where he met the love of his life, Fernande Cardin (1927-2011), and they married on July 18, 1958. After camping at the Council Grounds State Park, the family fell in love with the area and decided to move to central Wisconsin in 1969. In the Town of Harding, Vern and Fernande built a small farm, Vern served as town supervisor for multiple years, and he was elected as union president of the Boilermakers during his employment at Loed Company. He and his wife loved to travel visiting most of the US, along with multiple trips to France to see the family of Fernande.
He is survived by his daughter Doreen (Alan) Renken, Merrill; brothers Robert Fenney and Alfred Fenney, both of Agawam, MA; granddaughter Heather Young, McFarland; step son-in-law Dennis Wrzesinski, Portage; step grandchildren Crisy Wrzesinski, Portage; Cindy (Kraig) Hanig, Merrill; Robert Cwilklik, South Elgin, IL, Jenny (Colin) Hudler, Alsip, IL, Steven Wrzesinski, Merrill, along with their families.
He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Dorothy Fenney, wife Fernande Fenney, brother Bruce Fenney, stepson Michael Cwiklik, stepdaughter Sylvie Cwiklik-Wrzesinski.
A memorial gathering will be held at the home of Doreen and Alan Renken at noon on November 2nd, 2024, W6945 Edward Drive Merrill.
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