Vernon Bien

Benjamin Funeral Service ~~~Nowata, Oklahoma~~~918-273-2700 Graveside services for Vernon Eugene Bien are 10:00 A.M., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Officiating will be Gene's nephew, Frank Parrish and Joe Smith. Vernon Eugene Bien, 81, son of Vernon and Mae (Motter) (Bien), Shaffer, went to his heavenly home, July 8, 2016, at the Journey Home in Bartlesville, OK. Gene was born June 28, 1935, in Ottawa, Kansas. As a young boy, he had a paper route and also worked in the Greenhouse Nursery in Ottawa. Gene went to school at Hawthorne Elementary. His father passed away and his mother married Lee Shaffer and the family moved to Bartlesville, OK in 1949, where they lived on the H.C. Price "Starview Farm." Gene continued his education at Rice Creek School and in the summer months he would caddy for golfers at Hillcrest Country Club. Gene attended high school at Ochelata, graduating with the class of 1954. He met the love of his life, Pearl Parrish and they were married in 1955, the night before Gene went to serve his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Later his wife, Pearl joined him for a two year tour in Germany. Gene was stationed at Fort Sill and served in the unit that consisted of the only "atomic" Howitzer ever built, "The Atomic Annie," now on display at Ft Sill, OK. While they never fired an atomic round, Gene was on the crew that fired the only two projectiles ever fired in practice. After they returned to the states, Gene was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone until his retirement. They built a home on the Oologah Lake in Talala, OK and they have remained there fishing, enjoying the birds, deer, and wildlife that came around. Gene and Pearl also built custom-made birdhouses. Surviving Gene, is his wife, Pearl, of 61 years; one daughter, Janet Lightfoot of Bartlesville; grandchildren, Jeremy Smith of Broken Arrow, Aaron Lightfoot of Dewey, OK, Chelsea Chaney (Robby) of Copan, OK; five great-grandchildren, Espyn and Evan Chaney, Benton, Jenson, and Sawyor Lightfoot; sisters, Donna Morrison (John) of Waldo, AR., Patsy Metzner of Bartlesville, OK., Carolee Waddell (Bill) of Farmington Hills, MI., Betty Erwin (Conde) of Topeka, KS., and many nieces and nephews. One daughter, Jeri Lynn Smith, preceded him in death, July 20, 2000, also his mother, father, and grandparents. In memory of Gene, memorials may be sent to The Journey Home at 3406 SE Kentucky, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Monday, July 11th, 2016 10:00am, Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery