Vern W. Corrigan

Verner W. Corrigan, 80, of Ottawa passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, May 31 at St. Patrick's Church with Rev. Augustin Kassa officiating. Visitation will be from 4 - 7 pm, Tuesday, May 30 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery, with the Ottawa American Legion Veterans Group Honor Guard in attendance. Vern was born September 17, 1936 in Ottawa to Frank and Mary (Ward) Corrigan. He married Mary Ellen Wilhelm on February 5, 1971 in Yorkville IL. Vern graduated from St. Patrick's School, Marquette High School, and attended IVCC. He then served in the United States Army from 1962-1964 as a signal corps cryptographer at the 7th Army Headquarters in Vailhingen, Germany. Vern retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1998. He continued to work at his favorite neighborhood liquor store, Herman's, where he made many lifelong friendships and where many of his customers knew him by name. His favorite pastimes were reading, fishing, watching his grandsons play baseball, tending to his beautiful flowers, and growing vegetables in his garden to share with his family, friends, and neighbors. In addition to his love of family and friends, his passion was sports, sports, and more sports. His extensive knowledge of sports was equaled to his extensive collection of sports memorabilia. He was called upon by many to answer a question or settle a bet regarding any and every sport. He coached American Legion Connie Mack baseball and was a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox; he was also tolerant of the Chicago Cubs supporters in his family, especially the one he shared his life with. He was a diehard Notre Dame fan, and was an accomplished bowler in his younger days. Vern was a member of St. Patrick's Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and if you ask his grandchildren, President of the Greatest Grandpa Club. Those that knew him appreciated his ability to tell a story, reminisce, and deliver a great punch line. In his final days, he managed to keep his sense of humor to the very end and his love of family will live on in his children, grandchildren, and those that knew him. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; children, Rosemary (Mark) Gerding, Dawn (Craig) Rick, Jeremiah Mettille, and Jeff Mettille; grandchildren, Nolan and Grace Gerding, Brandon Rick, Caleb (Liz), Jacob, Joshua, Olivia, Sophia, and Michayla Mettille, Michael Mettile, Dawn (Don) Lawton, Lisa (Miguel) Barrera, Stephen (Jen) Gates, Crystal (Justin) Pennington, and Nicole Gates; his sisters-in-law, Rosemary (Fred) Ruggeri, and Lois Wilhelm; great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law, Mildren Wilhelm; his children, Frank Corrigan and Eileen Gates; grandson, Aaron Rick; siblings, Frank (Betty) Corrigan, Loretta Mae Corrigan, Rosemary (Tom) Varney, Kathleen Corrigan, Elinore (Robert) White, and Patrick (Patricia) Corrigan. Pallbearers will be Kevin, Pat, & Mike Corrigan; Sean & Brendan Corrigan; and Michael & Brendan White. Honorary Pallbearers will be Fred Ruggeri, Jim Ferrero, Tim Burke, and Bob Armstrong. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Aaron M. Rick Memorial Scholarship Fund, awarded to a graduating senior from OTHS and Marquette Academy; Ottawa Savings Bank, 925 LaSalle Street.