Vernon Lee Yarbrough, 88, of Ely, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the University of Iowa Medical Center. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Brosh Chapel and Avacentre, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Brosh Chapel. Private graveside services will be held at Rogers Grove Cemetery, Ely, Iowa.

Vern was born June 28, 1937, in Solon, Iowa, the fifth child of Charles and Libbie (Mekota) Yarbrough. He was united in marriage to Audrey Jean Barrett, on November 24, 1959. They were happily married for 62 years. Vern traveled with family and friends through the years across the United States and kept busy with fixing things for anyone who asked and having coffee with friends at Odies in Ely. He resided at the Solon Retirement Village and Care Center for the last several months.

Vern worked as assistant manager for FJ Krob and Company for over 45 years where he made many great friends. He volunteered for the Ely Volunteer Fire Department in 1967 and was Fire Chief for 21 years (1971-1992), retiring from the department in 2017 after 50 years of active service. His time on the department included many community activities such as putting up Christmas lights around town, cooking pancakes at the 4th of July Breakfast, building parade floats and participating in many fire department waterball fights.

Vern is survived by his children Tom (Mary) Yarbrough, Kathy Murray and Julie (Eric) Appleget, all of Ely, Iowa; 5 grandchildren Brandon (Erin) Yarbrough, Kristin (Dustin) Wehrle, Nick (Jesse) Murray, Grant Murray and Ty Appleget; 7 great-grandchildren Cavin, Kylin, Emily, Maggie, Aubrin, Katie and Jack; siblings Lois Ryan and Ernie Yarbrough; and close friend Darlene Suchomel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Audrey, brother Charles Yarbrough, sister Ann Allen, and son-in-law Mike Murray.

Memorials may be directed to the family.