David Dan Vermillion

David Dan Vermillion, age 85, of Blanchardville, WI area, died April 5, 2016 with his family nearby. He was born October 26, 1930 in Anderson, IN. His parents were Paul T. Vermillion and Rachel A. (Bolen) Vermillion.

The family lived in southern Indiana and on a small farm in Sullivan County, IN. David Vermillion went to Indiana State Teachers College and graduated with a BS in 1953, later serving in the U.S. Army in the Armed Forces Radio Service in Alaska. In 1956 he returned to Indiana State where he met his future wife, Mary Frances "Fran" Stoner from Jeffersonville, IN. David graduated with a Masters Degree in English Literature and he and Fran were married in Terre Haute in November, 1956 and moved to Peoria, IL where David worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. for several years. Fran graduated from Bradley University in Peoria.

David and the family moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1965 where he worked at several advertising agencies; notable clients included 3M Co., Miller Brewing Co., American Family Insurance, and GE Medical. Fran became a Montessori teacher.

David enjoyed two primary hobbies, sailing their 19-foot sloop in Milwaukee harbor and foil fencing with a Wauwatosa fencing club. He enjoyed history, especially about Lincoln, and researching George Rogers Clark. He wrote several short stories and one novella but none were published.

David and Fran moved to Green County in 1999 and built their retirement home, named "Windscape", in York Heights.

Survivors include Mary Frances "Fran" Vermillion, sons Laban Jeffers, "Jeff", at home, Dane Stoner (Rebecca) of Deforest, WI, and sister Lucinda Willis (Max) of Johns Island, SC.

In the time he had to consider his short-term future and his many past years, he said he regretted he had not followed the Golden Rule more diligently.

The family is planning a private memorial service in the near future.