Richard Hayden Vertrees

Richard Hayden Vertrees, 84, passed from his life on earth to his new life beyond at 1 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.

He was born and raised in Rineyville, where he spent his life except for four years in the U.S. Navy and 11 years in Elizabethtown. All his other years were spent living on that farm or a portion of it. He was born May 14, 1936, to Benjamin Burnice Vertrees and his mother, Eula Pawley Vertrees. Richard graduated from Rineyville School in 1954 with a group of classmates he dearly loved throughout his life. He always welcomed being with them for whatever reason. He served as president of the Class of ‘54 and was the salutatorian. His working life was spent at Fort Knox, in civil service for 36 years, being employed most of that time as an electronics technician. He was a member of Rineyville Optimist Club and he helped build and then served for years on the Rineyville Fire Department.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, George Wayne, Eugene Lamar, Shelby Forest and James Ralph Vertrees; and two sisters, Bernice Vertrees Boothe and Verla Sue Vertrees, who died the same day as her birth.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Carol Hatfield Vertrees; two daughters, Sherry Denise Irwin and Deanna Lynn (Ricky) Richardson; two stepgranddaughters, Kristen Richardson and Malari Richardson; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Blaire Evans and Liam Short. He also is survived by his one remaining sibling, Betty Alvey Muse; a sister-in-law, LaVerne Vertrees; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation and funeral services for Mr. Vertrees will be private.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM, Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Rineyville Memorial Cemetery, Rineyville, KY. All those friends who wish to attend the burial may do so. Mask wearing and social distancing will be observed.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Hosparus or Rineyville Community Park.

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