With great sorrow his loving family and 5 sisters share the passing of their beloved brother, Vernon James Stedel, from this world. Vernon was born in Vancouver, BC on October 15, 1958 to proud parents Henry and Elsie Stedel (both deceased) and raised in Langley, BC. He passed away gently in the early hours of February 7, 2019 after a decade of declining health battles brought on by complications from diabetes. He is survived by his 5 sisters; Carol Barrett, Karen Shepstone, Lorrie Stedel, Brenda Nicolson and Colleen Stedel. He also had a brother Warren Stedel (deceased) and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Known as “Vern” to his friends and family he attended West Langley Elementary School and graduated on crutches from Langley Senior Secondary. Vern owned and operated a landscaping business in the Lower Mainland for many years and also managed a small apartment building in New Westminster where he lived. When his health began to decline, he relocated to assisted living at the Langley Timbers program with Cheshire Homes Society of BC where he made many new friends and kept active with movie nights, group dinners and other community social events.
Vern enjoyed classic rock and never grew tired of watching concerts and videos on YouTube. He was also an avid reader and as a history buff traveled through England, France and Spain to embrace the food, culture and history. Through books, social media and the internet he kept up- to-date and was very knowledgeable with politics, historical and current world events. It was this quest for knowledge and self improvement that had him question and challenge both himself and those around him to debate life’s issues and think more critically about the world.
Vern also expressed his gentler compassionate side through his love and companionship with dogs and cats. He, like the rest of his family, gave and received much love and comfort from the special bond of fur babies. He was always eager and ready to take care of friends and family members pets, which was especially soothing and rehabilitating for him during his health issues.
A Memorial to celebrate the life of Vern Stedel will be held at Fort Langley Lions Hall: 23022 – 88 Avenue Fort Langley on February 15, 2019 at 2 pm. The family will also be going to the Fort Pub & Grill for dinner at 9273 Glover Rd after the memorial at 5:30 pm. We welcome everyone to come and share stories of Vern’s life.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Diabetes Canada https://www.diabetes.ca/donate