Laverne C "Vern" Sackett

Tragic Death of Craig Boy
     A distinct shock was felt by this entire community Sunday morning when it became known that Vern Sackett had met instant death about 4 o'clock when his auto ran into a ditch west of the Ross Ernst place. He was returning from Hooper where he had attended a dance and was followed in another car by Milo Longwell and both were hurrying to escape a storm which threatened. The exact facts of the tragedy will never be known as Vern was alone; whether his lights failed, steering gear broke or the wind and dust caused the car to swerve. When Longwell came up Sackett was dead and the car was on him in such a way that help had to be called to get him out of the wreckage. His neck was broken, both legs broken and his chest injured.
Obituary.
     Vern C. Sackett was born July 22d, 1903, at Craig, Nebraska, son of Charles W. Sackett and Susie L. Patterson Sackett, and died Sunday morning, June 30th, 1928 [sic: 1929], near Craig.
     Vern spent nearly all his boyhood years in and near Craig and Alder Grove, making his home mostly with his grandma Patterson and uncle Virgil and aunt Flora Patterson; spending several years with his father and brothers at Valier, Montana and Cortland, Nebraska.
     He lived in his father's home during his early school days in Craig and was a graduate of the Craig High School, completing the 12 grades.
     In January 1927, he joined the U.S. Navy, enlisting at Omaha, Nebr. He was sent to the Naval Training Quarters at San Diego, California, remaining there for several months later being sent to Hampton Roads Naval Training School. From there he received an honorable discharge from the Navy by special order of the Bureau of Navigation April 9, 1925, and recommended for re-enlistment on April 12th, 1928, his discharge papers bear the notation "Character of Service Good."
     In early life Vern joined the M. E. Church at Craig under the preaching of W. D. Stambaugh who was Pastor at that time.
     His many friends are his best testimony of his life and character. None but high words of praise of his character and sterling worth are uttered.
     Vern met his death through accident in his car June 30th, 1929.
     Vern leaves to mourn his death his father, three brothers, Arthur, Keith, and George, and his stepmother, Anna V. Sackett; his four uncles, Virgil, Erastus, Everett, and Harley Patterson and his aunt Flora Patterson.
     Short services were held at the Patterson home Tuesday afternoon and at the M. E. church at 2:30, conducted by the pastor, Rev. David Simpson. Military honors were accorded the deceased at the grave by Swen Harry Peterson American Legion Post of Craig. Burial was had in the family lot near his mother.

—The Craig News, Craig, Nebraska, 4 Jul 1929, p 1

Young Man Killed in Auto Accident
     Verne Sackett, 25, of Craig, Neb. nephew of Mrs. Jos. Kuns of this place, was instantly killled in an automobile accident at Craig Sunday morning. Mr. Kuns and Glen, of Omaha, attended the funeral Tuesday, Glen accompanying his father home that evening.

—The Beemer Times, Beemer, Nebraska, 4 Jul 1929, p 1