Copeland - Vern Duane Nightengale, 70, died August 11, 2024 at his home in Garden City.  He was born on October 15, 1953 in Oakley, the son of Albert and Bernice (Jantz) Nightengale.

As a child, Vern moved with his family from Oakley to the farm in rural Haskell County.  He began his education at the Independence School before transferring to Ingalls school system in 1965 when the family made the move to Ingalls.  Vern graduated from Ingalls High School in 1972.

Following graduation, Vern began farming in northern Haskell and Gray counties where he developed a lifelong passion for farming.  On November 30, 1984, Vern was united in marriage to Teresa Kreutzer in Garden City.  The couple made their home on the farm in northern Gray County where they raised their two children.  Vern continued to farm until his health no longer allowed it.  He had recently moved to Garden to be nearer to his daughter.

Those left to cherish the memories are two children, Corey Nightengale and wife Ashley of Plover, Wisconsin and Vanessa Hahn and husband Jerry of Garden City; three grandchildren, Lynzie Nightengale and Kaleb Nightengale of Plover, Wisconsin, and Kennidy Hahn of Garden City; brothers, John D. Nightengale and wife Lennetta of Phoenix and Donald Nightengale of Arcadia; and a brother-in-law, Charles Koehn of Texarkana, Arkansas.  He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Teresa; a sister, Elizabeth Koehn; a nephew, Jonathan Koehn; and his beloved dog and faithful companion, Charlie.

Funeral service will be held at Salem Mennonite Church, Copeland on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Steve Unruh, Charles Nightengale, and Ray Frank presiding.  Burial will follow at Salem Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, August 16, 2024 from noon to 5:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to the Salem Mennonite Church or Hospice of the Prairie in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.