Lavon R "Vonnie" Kozel, age 88, of Huron, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019, at his home, with his family at his side. His funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 22nd at the Riverview United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blunt. Military rites were conducted by the Blunt American Legion. Masonic rites were conducted by the Lily Lodge #62 A.F. & A.M. Harrold/Blunt.
Memorials may be directed to Riverview United Methodist Church or Huron Youth Bowling Association.
Lavon R "Vonnie" Kozel was born at home on January 4, 1931, in Blunt, South Dakota, to Royal and Opal (Ellison) Kozel. He attended the Blunt grade school through the 6th grade before moving with the family to Igloo, South Dakota in 1942, during World War II. Vonnie attended the army depot grades 7th through 10th and then moved back to Blunt, where he graduated in 1948. He worked as a mechanic in the family garage until he was drafted in to the United States Army in February 1952.
While in the service, on August 19, 1952, he married Shirley Groves. Vonnie then spent one year in Korea before being discharged in March of 1954. They had two children, Mark Royal and Gayle Elaine. He returned to work in the garage until being appointed rural mail carrier in 1962. In 1976, he was transferred to Huron, South Dakota, where he worked until he retired at age 60, in 1991. Shirley passed away on January 24, 1988.
Vonnie married Drelda Tyler on July 28, 1989. Drelda had four sons; Jeff, Greg, Barry, and Corey, who became a great part of Vonnie's family. Drelda passed away on October 25, 2000.
Vonnie was a past member of Blunt United Methodist Church, Blunt American Legion, Blunt Masonic Lodge, Blunt Fire Department, and Blunt School Board.
In Huron, he joined the VFW and Riverview United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the SD Rural Mail Carriers Association.
Vonnie had many close friends. He was an avid golfer until arthritis prevented it; but he continued to bowl and do woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; and two sisters.
Vonnie is survived by his son, Mark and his wife, Marcia Kozel; his daughter, Gayle and her husband, Steve Evans; his step-sons, Jeff and his wife, Mary Tyler, Greg and his wife, Melinda Tyler, Barry and his wife, Katrina Tyler and Cory and his wife, Marilea Tyler; four grandchildren, Kirby and his wife, Amy Kozel, Crystal and her husband, Jason Cabral, Heidi and her husband, Jason Parker and Brian and his wife, Cathleen Paredes; nine step-grandchildren, Jessica and her husband, Rob Lokhorst, Chelsey and her husband, Jon Altena, Michael Tyler, Asa Tyler, Stoney Tyler, Abbey (Jon) Musick, Jackson Tyler and Shelby Tyler; and twelve great-grandchildren.