Vernon Lee Evel, age 80, passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas on January 2, 2016.

He was born on April 2, 1935 in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Bryan and Esther (Kruse) Evel.

He was a cattle and grain farmer in Utica for all of his life.

On August 31, 1958 he married Luzella Smith. She survives.

He is also survived by his son, Jim Evel, Utica, KS; daughters Lorene (Larry) Koch, Douglas, KS, Patricia (Arnie) Hess, Ransom, KS; brothers, Eddie (Ann) Evel, Monument, CO, Gary (Judy) Evel, Utica, KS; sister, Della (Joe) Herrman, Utica, KS; grandchildren, Aaron Koch, Derek Koch, Dustin (Stepfaine) Koch, Arrow Hess, Tiffany (Jay) Freese, Jessica Gould; ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Robert Evel.

Viewing will be Wednesday, January 6, 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, and Thursday, January 7, 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Thursday.

Funeral service will be Friday, January 8, 2016, 2:00 P.M. at the Utica Methodist Church, Utica, KS.

Burial in Utica Cemetery, Utica, KS.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Childhood Leukemia Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.