Vernal Jiggs Below

Vernal Jiggs Below, 93, of Bono died Monday evening, March 5, 2018, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg. Vernal was born November 10, 1924, in Oak Harbor, Ohio to Max F. and Minerva O. (Whipple) Below. On November 12, 1944, in Fostoria, Ohio, he married Virginia M. Creeger and she survives. Vernal was a WWII veteran having served in the Merchant Marines from 1943-46. In his early years, he was a commercial fisherman for Vino Fishery in Curtice, which was owned by his father and brother. He retired after 40 years as a boilermaker working from Boilermakers Local #85. Vernal was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in Elliston and the Genoa American Legion Post #324. He loved watching football, which he played in high school, enjoyed fishing and gardening but especially loved doing things with his grandchildren. Vernal was a cancer survivor of 30 years. In addition to his wife, Virginia, Vernal is survived by his daughters, Joan (Richard) Nagle, Jeanne (Gary, Sr.) Westfall and Janice Below; sons, Charles (Deb) Below and Robert (Diane) Below; 30 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Virgil, Virl and Bernal Below, and sisters, Olna Navarre, Darlene Jean Below and Virginia M. Below. Visitation for Vernal will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. The funeral service will be conducted 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 12, 2018, at Zion United Methodist Church, 18045 W. William St., Elliston, OH 43432, with interment to follow in Clay Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551.