Verneta
Verneta Buford Koeller
Verneta Sophia Buford Koeller, 104, of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Sedalia and Warrensburg, passed away on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Fort Myers.
Verneta was born on March 18, 1919 to August and Martha (Windler) Fischer in Glensted, MO. In 1949 in Sedalia, she married Marvin Buford, Sr., who preceded her in death on June 29, 1977. In 1979 in Sedalia, she married Lawrence Koeller, who preceded her in death June 8, 1998.
Verneta spent her early days living on the family farm. After losing the farm during the depression her family moved to Sedalia. She graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1937. She also graduated from Sedalia Business College.
While working in the mail order section at Montgomery Ward in Sedalia, she went on a blind date with a young man named Marvin Buford who worked in the tire and service section at Wards. After they were married, they moved to Warrensburg. Marvin passed away in 1977. She lived in Warrensburg until 1979 when she married Lawrence Koeller and moved back to Sedalia. She moved to Fort Myers, Florida in 2007 to be closer to her son, Marvin, and his wife, Jill.
In addition to working at Montgomery Ward, she served as Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Warrensburg Middle School for 20 years.
Verneta was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sedalia. She later transferred her membership to Bethlehem Lutheran Church while living in Warrensburg. After her marriage to Lawrence, she returned to Sedalia. She transferred back to St. Paul’s and was active in the Mary Martha Guild, Ladies Aid, St. Paul’s Quilters, Altar Guild and Open-Door Ministries.
Verneta loved to cook. She enjoyed quilting, needle point, and playing games. She loved her card group and enjoyed sharing desserts afterward. She enjoyed square dancing and traveling in the motor home. Verneta and Lawrence belonged to the Good Sam Camping Club.
She is survived by a son, Marvin M. Buford Jr. and his wife, Jill Uhler-Buford, of Fort Myers; two stepdaughters in-law, Maybelle Koeller, and her companion, Bob Hiller, and Cindy Koeller; and three grandchildren, Leslie Weymeyer, Chris Koeller, and Jimmy Koeller.
In addition to her husbands, Marvin Buford, Sr. and Lawrence Koeller; and parents, August and Martha Fischer, she was preceded in death by two stepsons, Larry Koeller and David Koeller; her sister, Lavona Fischer; and her brother, Edgar Fischer.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Friday, June 30, 2023 at Heckart Funeral Home with Rev. Jeremy Freeman officiating.
Pallbearers will be Ron Riddle, Lance Riddle, Bruce Uhler, Steve Jones, Jim Edwards and Michael McKee.
Visitation will be noon until service time at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in care of Heckart Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heckart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Verneta was born on March 18, 1919 to August and Martha (Windler) Fischer in Glensted, MO. In 1949 in Sedalia, she married Marvin Buford, Sr., who preceded her in death on June 29, 1977. In 1979 in Sedalia, she married Lawrence Koeller, who preceded her in death June 8, 1998.
Verneta spent her early days living on the family farm. After losing the farm during the depression her family moved to Sedalia. She graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1937. She also graduated from Sedalia Business College.
While working in the mail order section at Montgomery Ward in Sedalia, she went on a blind date with a young man named Marvin Buford who worked in the tire and service section at Wards. After they were married, they moved to Warrensburg. Marvin passed away in 1977. She lived in Warrensburg until 1979 when she married Lawrence Koeller and moved back to Sedalia. She moved to Fort Myers, Florida in 2007 to be closer to her son, Marvin, and his wife, Jill.
In addition to working at Montgomery Ward, she served as Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Warrensburg Middle School for 20 years.
Verneta was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sedalia. She later transferred her membership to Bethlehem Lutheran Church while living in Warrensburg. After her marriage to Lawrence, she returned to Sedalia. She transferred back to St. Paul’s and was active in the Mary Martha Guild, Ladies Aid, St. Paul’s Quilters, Altar Guild and Open-Door Ministries.
Verneta loved to cook. She enjoyed quilting, needle point, and playing games. She loved her card group and enjoyed sharing desserts afterward. She enjoyed square dancing and traveling in the motor home. Verneta and Lawrence belonged to the Good Sam Camping Club.
She is survived by a son, Marvin M. Buford Jr. and his wife, Jill Uhler-Buford, of Fort Myers; two stepdaughters in-law, Maybelle Koeller, and her companion, Bob Hiller, and Cindy Koeller; and three grandchildren, Leslie Weymeyer, Chris Koeller, and Jimmy Koeller.
In addition to her husbands, Marvin Buford, Sr. and Lawrence Koeller; and parents, August and Martha Fischer, she was preceded in death by two stepsons, Larry Koeller and David Koeller; her sister, Lavona Fischer; and her brother, Edgar Fischer.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Friday, June 30, 2023 at Heckart Funeral Home with Rev. Jeremy Freeman officiating.
Pallbearers will be Ron Riddle, Lance Riddle, Bruce Uhler, Steve Jones, Jim Edwards and Michael McKee.
Visitation will be noon until service time at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in care of Heckart Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heckart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Verneta Buford Koeller, please visit our flower store.
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