Vernon Frank Kuivila

Vernon Frank Kuivila, 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2017. Vernon was born January 24, 1940 in Painesville, Ohio.  He was the younger son of the late Viola Elizabeth (Congos) Kuivila and the late Reino Jacob Kuivila.  He is survived by his brother Gilbert Dwayne Kuivila and sister-in-law Nancy Kuivila of Youngstown, OH.
Vern was a proud Marine and served his country honorably from 1959 through 1962.  Vern worked at the Dallas Park Department in Dallas, Texas designing irrigation systems and gardens in various parks in the city of Dallas.  While living in Pennsylvania, he worked for SPX as a Systems Designer for power plants before retiring in 1995.
Vern loved history, especially Civil War and World War II, was passionate about the outdoors especially his vegetable garden, camping and hunting; was a huge Buckeye football fan; and was an avid reader.  
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Carol Jean (Utecht) Kuivila, daughter Doreen (Kuivila) Abert, son-in-law Steve Abert of Doylestown, PA and daughter Suzanne (Kuivila) Knudsen, son-in-law Stefan Knudsen of Mint Hill, NC, and five precious grandchildren Melissa, Emily, Jason, Amy and Ava, his brother Gilbert Dwayne Kuivila and sister-in-law Nancy as well as his cat Annie who only loved him. 
Memorial services will be held Thursday March 2, 2017 at 11:00am at Morning Star Lutheran Chapel, 12900 Idlewild Rd, Matthews, NC. Family receiving guests at 10:00am.

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