Vernon C. Dennett, 75, of Burden, Kansas, passed away Sunday morning, February 9, 2020 at St. Francis Medical Center surrounded by his family and friends.

Vernon was born December 6, 1944 to Rhonda (Cox) and Herman Dennett.  He was raised five miles east of Atlanta and attended Timber Creek and Latham Elementary Schools.  He then attended Latham High School until it closed in 1961 when he transferred to Cambridge High School, graduating in 1962.  While in high school, Vernon worked on Lizzie B. Fox Ranch north of Cambridge.

In 1965, he joined the National Guard and his unit was activated in 1968.  He served as a member of A Company, First Battalion, 137 ^th Infantry, 69 ^th Brigade, until he was honorably discharged in 1970.

Vernon was united in marriage to Susan Mae Jones on July 1, 1967 at the Atlanta Christian Church.  The couple made their home in Burden, where Vernon worked for Bair Oil Company before buying the business and operating Dennett's 66 Service from 1970 to 1977.  He was a farmer, raised angus cattle, and co-owned D&W Well Service. He later began a career as a rural letter carrier where he remained for over 32 years until retiring in 2011.

Vernon was a member of Burden United Methodist Church, the Clinton Masonic Lodge #233, Wichita Scottish Rite, Midian Shrine, and Queen City Chapter #138 Order of the Eastern Star.  He also volunteered and was one of the original members of the Burden Fire District, serving on the board for nine years.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and watching wildlife.

His family includes his wife Susan of Burden; his son Doug Dennett and wife, Kristie of Puyallup, WA; his daughter JoLynn (Dennett) Parsons and husband, Mike of Burden; two granddaughters, Amelia Dennett and Jessilyn Parsons; his brothers, Carl Dennett and wife, Ruth of Oxford; Virgil Dennett and wife, Mary of Winfield; Kenny Dennett and wife, Margo of Enid, OK; a sister-in-law Betty Dennett of Enid, OK; two step grandchildren, Leah Velz and husband, Charlie of Winfield; Megan Belisle and husband, Steve and family of Wichita; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Vernon was preceded in death by sisters, Helen Glenn and Beverly Sumner, and a brother Earl Dennett.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 14, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Miles Funeral Service.  Interment will follow at Burden Cemetery.  A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 8 P.M.  The family will greet visitors during that time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in Vernon's name for the Burden United Methodist Church and the Burden First Responders.  Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service.