Vernon J. Sellmeyer Jr.

Published in the NewsTribune on 10/23/2008

SELLMEYER Vernon J. Sellmeyer Jr., 66, passed away Monday, October 20, 2008. Vern was born April 23, 1942, in Glasgow, Mo.

He graduated from Jefferson City High School, Jefferson City, Mo., where he excelled in basketball & baseball. He played baseball for the Jefferson City American Legion and Ban Johnson teams, for three years when the 18 year old southpaw signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs, Class D, Carlsbad N.M. team.

Later, during the demise of the club, Vern turned to a career in construction. Vern dedicated the majority of his contracting career to building "Diastole", a.k.a. "Mary Clark & E. Grey Dimond Scholars' Center". Upon the creative conceptualization of Dr. E. Grey Dimond, employer & good friend, Vern spent 25 years building "Diastole" while never referencing a blue print plan.

Vern is survived by: two sons and two daughters; Tracy Sellmeyer of Jefferson City, Mo., Tanna Hemsath of O'Fallon, Mo., Brandy Clark of Prairie Ville, Kans., and Ben Sellmeyer of Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Marty Clemer, Jefferson City, Mo.; a brother, Don Sellmeyer, Tempe, Ariz.; 8 grandchildren, seven nieces and four nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lou Bax of Jefferson City, his brother, Jerry Sellmeyer of Kansas City, Mo., his mother Mary Elizabeth Sellmeyer, and his father, Vernon John Sellmeyer, Sr.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct 25th at 11:30 A.M., at Heartland Community Church, 8301 Lamar Ave Overland Park, Kans. 66207.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heartland Community Church Benevolence Fund.