Vernon Charles Castle, Whitewater/Lake Geneva  (1928 - 2008)

May 17, 1928 - April 25, 2008
Vernon Charles Castle, 79, of Whitewater, died on Friday, April 25, 2008. Vernon was born on May 17, 1928, to Erv and Ann (Nelson) Castle. He spent his early childhood years in Whitewater, graduating from Whitewater City High. After graduating from UW-Whitewater with a degree in English, Vernon worked full-time for the National Guard unit in Whitewater and played the drums with the well-known Bud Wilber band. Vernon served in Korea for the latter stage of the Korean War as a warrant officer in an artillery unit.
Upon returning to Korea, Vern formed a trio with Rick and Jan Travis and traveled for many years, playing as opening acts in hotels, night clubs and theaters, mostly in Las Vegas to Miami and from Canada to the Bahamian Islands. After years of travel he built a recording studio in Lake Geneva and recorded many top musicians of the day. The studio became the favorite of the best Chicago musicians for its production quality. He also produced and recorded hundreds of radio commercials. Some that are still being used are Family Insurance, Menard's, Wrigley chewing gum, etc. Vern opened the "Sandbar" at the Abbey Resort in Fontana, WI, in 1963 and played there for many years. He later moved his recording studio to the former Playboy Club in Lake Geneva. Vernon also formed the "Last Dance" band and made a record that was nominated for a Grammy award in the 80s. The band played backup for renowned entertainers such as Bob Hope, Johnny Desmond, and many more. In 1982 Vern put together an all-time high school reunion called "A Night of Nostalgia", which brought back the Whitewater City High and College High wartime classes of 1942-1946. The reunion was held in three large rooms at the UW University Center and was a huge success, with a capacity crowd of over 300 alumni from 15 states attending. Vern's "Last Dance" band played that wonderful music of the WWII era for the event. Vern made a tape of the event, and it sold very well to most everyone there.
In the 1980s Vernon and his wife Mary opened Castle's Shops of Distinction, gift shops and boutiques in upscale hotels in Madison and Lake Geneva, WI, and Harrisburg, Strasburg, and Lancaster, PA. The shops were very successful for many years.
Vernon served as Executive Director of the American Small Business Association in Washington, D.C. from 1992-1997. While in Washington, he served on many committees and became a lobbyist for small businesses as well as International Accounts Manager for the National Association of Radio Talk Show Hosts. During those years Vernon and Mary lived in McLean, VA, and became friends with many wonderful people.
He returned to Wisconsin because of his health, and taught Written Communications at Gateway Technical College in Elkhorn, Racine, and Burlington for many years. He loved being with the students and faculty during his years of teaching. Vernon was also Personnel Manager of the Beloit/Janesville Symphony for several years under the direction of Crawford Gates. He also became active as Adjutant of the local American Post #173 and was outstanding in that capacity. He wrote and printed a Legion periodical that won top prize for content, format, and pictures in a National Legion contest among over 5,000 Legion posts in the country. Vern was also a very active member of the Chapel on the Hill Church in Lake Geneva, WI, for 25 years. He published the congregation's monthly newsletter, "The Chapel Call", for many years.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Mary; three stepsons: Timothy (Joyce) Fredrickson of Lake Geneva, WI, and Landon, England, Christopher (Jan) Fredrickson of Delavan, WI, and Jonathan (Lisa) Fredrickson of Lake Geneva; two grandchildren, Hanna Rose Fredrickson of Lake Geneva, WI, and Eric Fredrickson of Lake Geneva, WI, and London, England. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann (Nelson) and Erv Castle.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2008, at the CHAPEL ON THE HILL, Lake Geneva. Visitation will be at the CHURCH from 9 until 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 5, at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery, Union Grove, WI. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Chapel on the Hill, Lake Geneva, WI. SKINDINGSRUDE FUNERAL HOME is serving the family.
He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.