Vern "Gent" Adair Seaton's Obituary
Vern "Gent" Seaton
November 17, 1927 - December 2, 2025
Powersville, Missouri
Vern "Gent" Seaton, 98, passed away peacefully at his home on December 2, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Gent was born in Shell Rock, Iowa, on November 17, 1927, the son of Elmer L. and Amanda (Gustafson) Seaton. He attended various country schools in Sullivan County and graduated from Lemons High School in Lemons, Missouri. Gent was the last WWII draftee from Sullivan County in March of 1946, completing basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Camp Polk, Louisiana. His outfit was preparing to depart for Japan when the war ended, and he later spent a short time in post-war Japan relieving soldiers before returning home.
After his service, Gent worked in road construction with his brother, Barney. The brothers later began custom farming in Sullivan County and, in 1954, purchased the St. John Farm while continuing custom dirt construction. They went their separate ways in the mid-1960s, and Gent continued on his own. On November 20, 1967, he married Phylis Small in Kansas City, Missouri. They lived in Unionville for three years before moving to the farm in 1971.
Gent took pride in his work and approached each day with steady effort and honesty. He was dependable, practical, and committed to doing things the right way. Farming was an important part of his life, and he enjoyed caring for his livestock-cattle, hogs, barn cats, and even the wild birds around the place. Making sure they were fed and cared for was something he valued. Gent also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially when they were young, and he treasured the simple moments he shared with them.
Gent is survived by his wife, Phylis of the home; daughter, Lisa Schoonover; and sons, Kevin Seaton and wife Shelly, and Wes Seaton and wife Marissa. Grandchildren include Jessica, Amanda, Chelsey, Kaden, Jade, Lena, Haven, Karley, Simona, Dayahna, Damian, Gent, Abel, A.J., Myka and Conlee; and a sister, Alva (Toe) Fulghum and brother-in-law, Dennis Skipper.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Amanda Seaton and in-laws Francis and Fay Small; a son-in-law, Mike Schoonover; a grandson, Jordan Schoonover; brothers, L.A. (Barney) Seaton and Elmer Jr. (Doc) Seaton; sister, Virginia (Sally) Bryant; sister-in-laws, Betty Seaton, Mary Knowles, and Judy Skipper; and brother-in-laws, Tom Bryant and Bill Fulghum.
Memorials may be made payable to Unionville Cemetery, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or Hospice of Northeast Missouri and entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home, 709 S 27th Street, Unionville, MO 63565.
A funeral service will be held at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville, Missouri, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at noon. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Unionville Cemetery.
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