Vernon B. McCracken, 91, of Thonotosassa, Fla., formerly of Kittanning, passed away Wednesday at the Brandon Regional Hospital, Brandon, Fla.

He was born in South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, Nov. 26, 1919, the son of Roy A. and Kathryn (Shearer) McCracken.

Mr. McCracken was a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Kittanning.

He was a 1941 graduate of Kittanning High School, and he had proudly served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II with the 8th Air Corps.

Vernon was a skilled laborer with Union Carbide for 27 years and then with Sacks Manufacturing, Worthington, until his retirement in 1991.

Vernon was a member of the Masonic F&AM Lodge 244 and the New Castle Consistory. He was a life member of the Kittanning VFW and an adult member of Boy Scouts of America, Moraine Trails Council from 1954 to 2006.

Vernon's greatest joy came from traveling and spending time with his family.

He will be deeply missed by his daughter, Mary Catherine “Cathy” Patrick and her husband, David, of Valrico, Fla.; his two sons, Eric W. McCracken of Florida and Kevin R. McCracken of Fort Collins, Colo.; four grandchildren, Scott C. McCracken of Portland, Ore., Adam K. Fry of Lancaster, Jonathan D. Patrick of Valrico, Fla., and Laura E. Hall of Portland, Ore.; four great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Vera L. McMillen of Clermont, Fla.; and a sister, Gertrude Shulz and her husband, William, of Kensington, Md.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 wonderful years, Elizabeth J. (Bouch) McCracken; three brothers, Arnold M. McCracken, Harry N. McCracken and Leroy McCracken; and an infant sister, Mary Margaret McCracken.

<B>MCCRACKEN </B>— Relatives and friends of Vernon B. McCracken, who died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, may visit from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at <B>Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services</B>, 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning, where a Masonic service will be at 7 p.m. Saturday. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. John W. Snyder officiating. Military honors will be presented at the funeral home by the Armstrong County American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will follow in the Slate Lick Cemetery, South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County.To express condolences to the family, visit www.bauerfuneral.com