Vern Benton Lightner, 77, of Bradenton, Fla., died Monday, November 17, 2003, at his residence. Born February 16, 1926, in Johnson City, N.Y., to the former Sam Benton & Frances Emma (Porter) Lightner. He served during World War II with the US Navy. He retired from IBM in Endicott, N.Y. after 24 years and served as the Assistant Chief and was a life member of the West Corners Volunteer FD. He was a member of the American Legion Post 89 in Vestal, N.Y., the Masonic Lodge in Johnson City, N.Y., past member of the Elks Lodge in Owego, N.Y., life member of the Holiday Rambler RV Club, and a member of Family Motor Coach. He moved to Bradenton in 1976, coming from Endicott. Locally, he was a member of the Orange Grove Free Methodist Church. He also volunteered with the Former Samoset Fire Department and then transferred to the Braden River Fire Department, where he was a life member and a Fire Inspector, and served on the Arson Task Force in Manatee County. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Joyce Lightner, Bradenton, Fla.; daughter, Verna (Mark S.) Kicsak, Binghamton; son, Terry (Connie) Lightner, Bradenton, Fla. and Endicott; grandchildren, Amy (Hans) Geiger, Mark E. Kicsak, Nathan Lightner, Michelle (Michael) McClenon & Jessica Lightner.
Memorial services will at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the Sugar Creek Estates Recreation Hall, 3275 26th Avenue East, Bradenton, Fla., with Reverend Steve Bell officiating. Memorials may be made to either Hospice of Southwest Florida, 3355 26th Street West, Bradenton, Fla. 34205, or to Orange Grove Free Methodist Church, 2202 26th Avenue East, Bradenton, Fla. 34208, in his memory. Arrangements by Shannon Funeral Home Town Chapel, Bradenton, Fla