Vernon E. Fedewa, age 79, of Portland, passed away early Wednesday, December 29, 2004 at Ingham County Medical Care Facility. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Bertha Fedewa. Vernon's large and loving family who survive him include his wife of 57 years, Dorothy M. Fedewa, along with ten children, twenty-one grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Vernon is also survived by his brother, Jerome Fedewa, and wife, Dawn; sister, Marguerite Figg; sister Maxine and husband Norm Hertzog; and sister Marilyn Bell. Vernon's children are Valarie Erwin and her husband, Doug; Tonya Fedewa and her fiancé, Michael Nowik; Brad Fedewa; Brian Fedewa and his wife, Annette; Wendy Cole and her husband, Don; Gregory Fedewa and his partner, Jerri Dalton; Jan Fowler and her fiancé, Mike Tufft; Christopher Fedewa and his wife, Lisa; Andrea Krueger and her husband, Larry; Lynn Duram and her husband, Eric. Vernon will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his grandchildren: Stacey Lahr, Michelle Paul, Allison Koetsier, Angela Nyquist, Tracy Fedewa, Brian Scott Fedewa, Jeremy Fedewa, Amy Jo Johncox, Derek Cole, Gregory Dalton, Andrew Fowler, Crystal Fowler, Chad Fedewa, Cole Fedewa, Savannah Marshall, Nicholas Marshall, Michael Krueger, Britney Sullenberger, Jordan Sullenberger, Hailey Duram, Morgan Duram; and great-grandchildren: Lindsi Laing, Leah Laing, Logan Laing, Lexi Lahr, Madelyn Paul, Morgan Nyquist, Drew Nyquist, Olivia Nyquist, and Rachel Johncox. Vernon served his country in World War II, and was the recipient of a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. Vernon retired from TRW after thirty years of service. He has been a life-long member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, in Portland. Vernon will be remembered as a loving husband, father, friend and neighbor, who was kind and generous in spirit, and who was always there to lend a helping hand to others. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 31, 2004 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 140 Church Street, Portland, with the Rev. Larry King, Pastor, presiding. Rite of Committal will follow at Portland Cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. and a Scriptural Wake Service held at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Vernon's family will receive friends at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 210 East Bridge Street, Portland, on Thursday, December 30, between 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Lansing Resource Center, 1210 West Saginaw, Lansing, MI, 49815.