74-year-old Flora resident, Dr. Vernon Delmer DeSelms died Sunday, August 14 at his home at his home, on Sunday, August 14. Graduating from Cisne High School, “Dee” DeSelms went on to the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, and University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He enrolled in the R.O.T.C. program while at the University of Illinois. Upon graduation from dental school, he was drafted for service in the Vietnam War and completed both officers training at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton, California, before being deployed to Vietnam. He earned the rank of Lieutenant. Upon return, he was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station, where he met his partner in life and business, Cynthia Rose Conrad. They married in 1969 and soon moved to Flora to open his dental practice.
Dr. DeSelms is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two children: Lisa “Kaye” DeSelms Dent and husband Roy of Effingham and Vernon Delmer DeSelms, III, of Flora. He is survived by his grandsons, Adam “Conrad” DeSelms Dent and Jack Dent. His three brothers and their spouses also survive: Jan of Tokyo, Japan, Mark of Roseville, Illinois, and William of Roseville, Illinois. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Dr. Vernon DeSelms will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with burial with full military honors at Cisne Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 18, at Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora.