Floyd L. Vestal

Floyd Lavern Vestal made his home coming to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lavern died at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.

Lavern was born on November 21, 1942, at his home in Longton, Kansas. His birth was breached. With midwives at his mother’s side, she came through the delivery with no problem. Lavern’s parents were Floyd and Mae (Lamb) Vestal.

Growing up on a farm in the beautiful country his passion for western life would never leave him. His passion would reflect everything he was. He went to Longton school until he dropped out after freshman year. Lavern loved to sing. At a young age his parents bought him his first guitar. The minute he picked it up he found another new passion in music that would never leave him in life. To this day, Lavern still has that guitar.

In the early 1960s, he put together a country band called Country Gentlemen. He had bought an old used hearse with the name written on the sides. I have to admit; it was pretty scary as a kid to see that thing in the driveway.

On July 9, 1960, he married Carolyn Sue Henshall in Fredonia, Kansas. In 1963, their first daughter was born, Visia Elaine and exactly ten months and two days later in 1964, their second daughter was born, Marcia Diane.

On September 1, 1970, Lavern opened Vestal Refrigeration in Independence, Kansas. He was working for Fred Savage at the time and Fred had suffered a heart attack. Fred asked Lavern to buy him out and Lavern’s business would last 48 years.

Dad worked hard all his life helping many people in need. During the winter he would hook up the shovel to clean everyone’s driveway on Hillcrest Drive. He enjoyed playing and singing at different churches he attended throughout the years. He loved inventing new things that would help people. Years ago, he partnered with Jeff Green when he invented the Lock N Climb Ladder. The extended legs attached to the ladder, which kept the ladder from falling over. Thanks to Jeff, our Dad’s memory will live on.

Lavern is survived by his daughters Visia Sweat and Marcia Rood, and his remaining sister Audry Tharp. His six grandchildren; Allen, Beth, Nicole, Braydin, Ashlyn, and Britney and seven great-grandchildren; Kaine, Kolsyn, Scarlet, Bryant, Grant, Atticus and Wyatt.

He is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, his parents Floyd and Mae Vestal, and his sisters Reba Jesseph and Edna Baldwin.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, November 18, 2024, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. Services are under the care of Potts Chapel.