Stanley “Vernon” Yager

Stanley “Vernon” Yager, 86, of Sturgeon, Mo., and formerly of Centralia, Mo., passed away on June 28, 2025, at Boone Hospital Center following a lengthy illness.

Vernon was born on March 13, 1939, at the family home in Audrain County, Mo., a son of Stanley Malcolm and Alice “Marie” Squiers Yager. He married Alice May Harrison on June 5, 1966, at Maple Grove United Methodist Church in Rowena, Mo. He was a graduate of Centralia High School and attended the University of Missouri. During his childhood, he attended Sanford School in Monroe County for his first eight grades, where his aunt Vera Squiers was his only teacher.

He raised registered Angus Cattle since childhood, beginning with Stanley Yager and Son Registered Angus Cattle and Chester White Hogs, and later Hilltop Angus Farm. He enjoyed caring for his cattle and showing them. Most of all, he valued his friendships made in the cattle business. He was a mentor, helping youth with their 4-H and FFA livestock projects, serving as a 4-H Project Leader, and on the Centralia Fair Board for many years. Vernon was generous with his time and resources to help others, never expecting anything in return. He also enjoyed working with Larry Clementz Real Estate in Centralia for several years and clerking sales with Wheeler Auction Company in Paris. Never knowing a stranger, he would meet someone he knew almost everywhere he traveled, and was an example and source of encouragement to many.

Vernon was a member of the American Angus Association and had served as a Past President of the Missouri Angus Association, receiving the Missouri Angus Pioneer Award in 2017. He was a member of Tulip Christian Church in Madison, Mo., where he had served on the church board. His favorite activities included going to cattle auctions, playing cards with friends and family, and enjoying favorite restaurants.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alice, of the family home; his son, Vernon Dale of New Franklin, Mo.; numerous nieces and nephews and their families; cousins and a host of friends made over the years in the cattle business and living a good life.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Marie Yager; his mother and father-in-law, William and Hazel Harrison; much-loved aunts, uncles, and other family members; and by special long-time friends, Dr. Wayne Smith, Fred Blades, Bill Harlan, and Dale Eisele.

Funeral services honoring Vernon’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel. 1610 N. Garth Avenue, Columbia, Missouri, with Pastors Tim Miller and Chris Collier officiating. Visitation will be from 1 until 3 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Following the funeral, he will be buried at Maple Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery near where he was born, married, and lived most of his life.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Missouri Junior Angus Foundation Scholarship Fund or to Maple Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care he received from the staff at Columbia Post Acute, The Villa at Blue Ridge, and Boone Hospital Center and for the many acts of kindness and support from friends, neighbors, and family members and to Oliver Funeral Home and friends in the funeral profession for their professional assistance.

Condolences may be shared at www.bachyager.com.