Vernon R. Pees

Vernon Russell Pees, 87, of Ravenna, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026. He was born on June 28, 1938 in Youngstown, OH to the late Russell E. and Nancy Laverne (Carbin) Pees. Vernon attended Youngstown public schools and graduated from Wilson High School in 1956. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1956 and served at Camp Lejeune from July 1957 to January 1959 when he was stationed at the marine barracks at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. He completed his service in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune.

Vernon enrolled at Youngstown University and earned his bachelor's degree in 1963. While in college, he met Charleen Linden and the two were married in May of 1963. They relocated to Indiana, where he earned his master’s degree from Valparaiso University. His first teaching position was in Valparaiso, IN, where he taught Social Studies and coached the 8th grade football team. In 1966, they returned to Northeast Ohio, and he was hired into the Kent City Schools, where he taught at Davey Junior High School and coached the 9th grade football team for three years. Vernon spent a year serving a teaching fellowship at Kent State University and returned to Kent City Schools in 1970, where he taught at Roosevelt High School and was an assistant coach with the football team until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Kent, American Legion Post #496 in Kent and the Kent Elks Lodge.

Following retirement, Vernon and his wife, Charleen, enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises around the world. Nothing meant more to him than the time he was able to spend with his family. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Brian Pees; brother Gregory Pees; and brother-in-law Robert Linden.

He leaves his loving wife Charleen Pees; children, Bradley (Bernadete) Pees and Laura Layman; grandchildren, Kevin Pees, Adam (Wren Howard) Pees, Kelsey (Joseph) Fox, James Layman and Matthew Garonzi; great grandchildren, Ryland Pees, Skylar Pees, Aurora Fox and Olive Fox.

Visitation will be FRIDAY, February 13, 2026 from 10:00-11:00AM at the United Methodist Church of Kent, 1435 E. Main St. Kent, OH 44240 followed by a memorial service at 11:00AM officiated by Rev. Nathan Howe and Rev. Bob Machovec.

Memorial donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.com or to the United Methodist Church of Kent.

Services in the care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.