Vernon Dean Birk, 85, passed away on February 17, 2022, in the comfort of his home in Gridley, Kansas with his wife Beverly by his side.

Vernon was born on the family farm northwest of Gridley on December 26,1936 to Carl and Emma Knapp Birk. He attended Washington Rural Grade School, Sunny Side School and then graduated from Gridley Rural High School in 1954. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Beverly Huber. The two married on July 27,1957 in the Gridley United Methodist Church and made their home in Gridley. They have been blessed with 4 beautiful children: Scott, Chris, Melanie and Megan, 11 grandchildren (Kristin, Sarah, Andrew, Stephanie, Erin, Bailey, Tyler, Taylor, Stewart, Jack and Lexi) and 7 great grandchildren (Gage, Javen, Kaylie, Charlotte, Benson, Birk and Bodhi).

Vernon devoted his life to his family and his farm. He spent most of his career as a farmer, working every day in the fields and teaching his kids the importance of hard work, until he retired from farming in 1985.  In 1989, he was elected Coffey County Clerk and held that office for 16 years.  Vernon also felt passionately about being an active volunteer in the community.  He was a member of the Hebron Lodge #314 (63 years), Order of the Eastern Star White Rose Chapter #297, USD #245 School Board Member, COF Board Member (26 years), Coffey County Rural Water District (33 years), Kansas Association of Counties, Arab Shiners, York Rite and a faithful member of the Gridley United Methodist Church.  While we remember him as the farmer, county clerk, and volunteer, we mostly remember him as a loving husband, dad & grandpa.  He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren celebrating  family, making everyone smile and laugh, and creating memories, the most memorable one of all being the annual grandkid week at the farm.

He is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Emma, brothers (Ronald, Wayne, and Wallace), Two infant brothers (Calvin and James), two brothers in law (Carl Smock and Bill Bashaw) and sister-in-law, Nadine Birk.

Vernon leaves behind his wife, Beverly; 4 children, Scott Alan (Judy) of Atlanta GA, Chris Andrew (Leslie) of Emporia KS, Melanie Dawn of Overland Park KS and Megan Dyan (Eddie) of Paola KS, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his brother Royle (Suzanne), his sisters, Ruth Smock and Lois Bashaw, sister-in-law, Nellie Birk, many nieces and nephews and the countless number of friends and relatives.

To my husband, our dad and our grandpa…

"There are no goodbyes. Wherever you'll be, you'll be in my heart."

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Gridley United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Gridley Apostolic Christian Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hebron Lodge #314, A.F. & A.M., or Hand In Hand Hospice and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

The funeral service will be live streamed on Facebook Live at this link: https://www.facebook.com/jonesfuneralhomeburlingtonks