Vernon Befort

Vernon Sylvester Befort, age 93, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Hays, KS, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Vernom was born on Sunday, February 22, 1931, in Munjor, KS to the late Jacob Befort and Lidwina (Leiker) Befort. Vernon was the widower of Verna Agnes (Hoffman) Befort, whom he married on May 15, 1954, and who died on August 31, 2017. In addition to his parents and wife, Vernon is preceded in death by his three brothers, Earl, Donald, and Marvin Befort. 

Vernon’s survivors include his three sons: Howard Befort and his wife, LaDonna, of Mechanicsburg; Bruce Befort and his wife, Kathy, of Mechanicsburg; Brian Befort and his wife, Angie, of Osborne, KS; his eight grandchildren: Tammy, Kassandra, Britton, Michelle, Maggie, Brice, Brandon and Brooke; his six great-grandchildren: Brendan, Ethan, Payton, Piper, Parker, and Ava and many nieces and nephews.

Vernon lost his father when he was young, with Uncles and Aunts helping his mom to raise the 4 brothers. This experience helped him when he had Nieces and Nephews who lost their parents at young ages, he was always there to help them navigate life. Family life was always a priority for Vernon and Verna. They always found time for family and friends lending a hand when it was needed.

He played baseball in high school at Schoenchen and Hays high school in KS. Following his father’s footsteps, he played on the Munjor town baseball team with his 3 brothers. His love and knowledge of baseball helped his three sons play the game at high levels and he was fortunate to coach Bruce and Brian throughout most of their youth.

Vernon and his brothers all played instruments which led to his playing in a local Polka band playing in the small towns in central Kansas. After he and Verna moved to Denver, he joined is Uncles band the Johnie Stremel’s Polka Band and then on to the Jolly Polka Band which played in many venues in the Denver area. The three sons seemed to grow up in a place called the Shangri-La Nightclub in Westminster. When not in the band, he could be found playing for family weddings where he would jump in during the band break, during the many dance parties that took place in the basement of their home in Westminster. He continued playing his Keyboard entertaining his new friends in PA and at family gatherings for the Holidays or just playing while looking out at the wildlife from his residence. He also tried along with Verna to teach Polka dancing to anyone who wanted to learn. Vernon played several instruments all by ear, the piano, accordion, sax, banjo, and the dulcimer

Vernon served in the US ARMY from 1952 to 1954. During this time, he was deployed to Korea. After discharge from the Army, he came back to Munjor where the love of his life waited for him in Victoria. They soon married and started their family first in Kansas then moving to Denver CO. and raising their growing family of 3 boys. He was an active member of the VFW and the DAV. 

Dad was a man of many names, we could always tell how a person new Dad by the name they called him: Sylvester in his youth, Slim long time friends from Kansas, Schlatz was family, Tiny from his band days, Vester seemed to be shouted a lot at Pinochle games, Vern in PA, It was always a treat to hear the different nicknames. But the names he most cherished were Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Grand Daddy.

Vernon had a great interest in the history of the Befort and Leiker families always reading and learning from the genealogy books he had, to discover who he was related to and what the early beginnings of his ancestors must have been like. It was one of the highlights of the research when we traced the family ties to Luxembourg. 

His shining light was his grandchildren and his great grandchildren, all 14 of them. He loved hearing them tell stories of what was going on in their life, going to their sporting events and holding the little ones.

All are welcome to join Vernon’s family at his viewing on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601 with a rosary held at 6:00 p.m. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11: a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 883 Moscow Street, Munjor, KS 67601. Burial with military honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard  will follow in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Munjor, KS. This will be followed by a time of food, celebration of life and fellowship at the VFW Ft. Hays Post 9076, 2106 Vine Street, Hays, KS 67601. 

Contributions in celebration of Vernon’s life can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090, www.alz.org.