Verna Kay Gunther

To join the livestream of Verna Kay's service, please select the link below. The service broadcast will commence at 01:55 P.M. Sunday, November 30, 2025 and will be archived for 90 days following the service for later viewing. https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc2NDM1NjkwMDM5MDcyMSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Verna Kay Gunther, age 77, a resident of Goreville passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 4:17 pm at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana after an extended illness. Verna Kay was the daughter of John Vernial and Oma Vee Walden Odum. On January 28, 1966, she was united in marriage to David E. Gunther in Vienna, Illinois at her childhood church, the Assembly of God. Together they shared over 59 years of marriage. In addition to her husband David she is survived by her son, Lonnie David Gunther (Gina) of Goreville and 4 grandchildren, Dustin, Aaron (Britani), Andy and Kaylee. Verna Kay was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Billy Odum. She leaves behind a sister, Charlene Baity (Larry) and many dear friends and relatives. Verna Kay was a 1965 graduate of Vienna High School where she was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award. She worked for a few months as a clerk typist at the Anna State Hospital before her marriage. Her lifelong love was caring for children. She babysat other people’s kids before and later after her son’s birth. She had always wanted children of her own and finally after one miscarriage, God granted her wish with the birth of her son. He arrived two weeks past his due date to arrive right on her birthday. As she would often tell others “he was the BEST birthday present I ever received”. Later on, after her son married, she was so proud the day arrived when she gained the new title of “Grandma” after the birth of her first grandson Dustin. She dedicated her life to caring for her grandchildren while their parents were at work or otherwise needed her help. Never turning down a chance to be with them. Always a “shy” person she “got her voice” after her grandchildren were born as she explained to others “I HAD to learn to talk more so I could brag on my grandchildren.” Nothing in life brought her more pleasure than spending time with her grandchildren and telling others about their precious antics. Verna Kay loved God with all her heart and was so glad her parents had taken her to church as a child and given her a strong Christian foundation. She loved to read, bake, sew and work outdoors in her yard but, if given the chance to choose, time spent with her grandchildren was what she loved most. A service celebrating Verna Kay will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 2 pm at Bailey Funeral Home. In accordance with her wishes there will be no visitation Those attending the service are invited to gather from 1:30 pm until the time of service. Burial will follow in Graves Cemetery, north of Vienna. Memorials may be made to Chemo Buddies, 3700 Bellemeade Avenue, Suite 118, Evansville, IN 47714.

Verna Kay Gunther

December 3, 1947 - November 26, 2025