Obituaries

On July 26, 1924 Vernon L. Guynn was born to Jesse and Freda (Minks) Guynn in Champaign, Illinois.  At the age of 94 he closed his “smiling blue eyes” and died peacefully at home with family on October 11, 2018.  He is survived by his loving wife, of 71 years, Arvena (Wade).  Also surviving are children Debbie (Jeff) MacDonald, Kevin (Julie) Guynn, Brent Guynn, Todd (Lisa) Guynn; grandchildren Ryan (Bridget) MacDonald, Erin MacDonald, Brittany (Jerome) Blanc, Alyssa Guynn, Jennifer (Tom) McQuillan, Brent Jr., Alexandra, Elizabeth, Kathryn and MacKenzie Guynn; great-grandchildren Ronan and Remy MacDonald, Gabriel and Thomas Blanc, Alison and Caitlin McQuillan;  sister Mildred Vodak, sister-in-law Jami (Jack) Philbrick and several nieces and nephews including Joy (Dan) Weyrauch and Jill (Kevin) Keefe. Vernon was predeceased by his parents and brother- and sister-in-law Robert (Vivian) Wade.

Vernon grew up on the family farm in Dewey, Illinois. His education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Dewey and he graduated from Rantoul High School.  He enrolled at the University of Illinois where he planned to major in engineering.  A hernia operation prior to the start of classes peaked his interest in medicine and surgery. Through the Navy V-12 program he completed his undergraduate degree in pre-med and then went to medical school at the University of Illinois, Chicago.  Vernon was an intern at Illinois Research and Educational Hospital followed by residency at Illinois Central Hospital, Hines Veterans Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital. A preceptorship in general surgery was completed with Dr. John Reynolds at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago.

In 1950 Vernon enlisted in the Army and served as the Chief of Surgery for two years at the Army   Hospital in Bremerhaven, Germany.  After returning to the Chicago area he went into general surgical practice with Dr. John Reynolds. Drs. Robert Overstreet and Alexander Doolas later joined them. That practice grew from St. Luke’s Hospital to Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital which is now Rush.  In 1956 he moved his family to St. Charles to expand his part of the practice at Delnor Hospital, Community Hospital in Geneva and the community hospital in Sandwich. Partners in the Fox Valley have included Drs. Wendell Schmidtke, Preston Reilly, Andrew Kramer, Steven Kleckner and Dean Shoener.   During his career, Vernon served on many hospital committees and as chief of medical staff.  He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, past president of Mid-West Surgical Association, and member of Western Surgical Association, Chicago Surgical Society, American Medical Association, and Kane County Medical Association. He retired from this career that he loved when he was 75.

Vernon also made time to contribute to the life of the community.  He was an active member of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church.  He served on the School District 303 school board, supported St. Charles high school sports as a loyal fan and volunteered for Boy Scout Troop 25.  Vernon was one of the founders of Tri-City Family Services and in his retirement became a member of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club. He was honored for his contributions by receiving the Bartel Award, the Barth Award and the Charlemagne Award.

Growing up on a farm gave Vernon a passion for growing and raising plants and animals. He always planted large vegetable gardens, planted many trees, tended to home landscaping and was fond of pigs.  He was a kind, patient and courteous man who loved his work and the people in his life.  He touched and made a difference in the lives of many people over his 94-year journey and will be missed.

The family appreciates the support of friends and the kind and compassionate care that Vernon received in the last months of his life through Seniors Helping Seniors, Health at Home, BrightStar Care, Delnor Hospital, Mairanjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and Northwestern Hospice. Donations in memory of Vernon may be made to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, Tri City Family Services or Tri City Health Partnership.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, IL on Sunday, October 28 at 2 pm, followed by a visitation gathering at St. Charles Place, 2250 E. Main St., St. Charles, from 3 to 6 pm.

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