
LaVern E. Pax
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
3rdHighest Military Rank
SP4Tomb Dates
Apr 1957 - Oct 1958Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
St. Mary, OHCurrent City / State
Pickerington, OHTomb Reflections
Posted during the double internment of the World War II and Korean War UnknownsObituary
Husband, father, and grandfather, LaVern “Vern” Pax, age 86, of Pickerington, formerly of St. Marys, Ohio, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 7, 2022. He was born November 17, 1935 in Celina, Ohio to the late Edmund J. and Frances K. (Meyer) Pax, the 11th of 15 children. On May 6, 1961 he married his beloved wife, Shirley Fischbach and shared 61 wonderful years of marriage with her. She survives at the residence. Vern is also survived by his children, Renee’ (Dana) Metz, Gilbert, AZ, Dana (Stephen) Farley, Sunbury, OH, and Eric Pax, Baltimore, OH; grandchildren, Kyle Metz, Joshua Metz, Emma Pax, Eddy Pax, Kayla Farley, and Michael Farley; sisters, Bernadette Disque, Florentine Cafferky, Barbara Geiser, Edwina Meyers, and Rita Klosterman; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Brunswich, Leonard Pax, Charles Pax, Ruth Leugers, Norma Irvin, Madonna Issen, Richard Pax, Vincent Pax, and Juanita Schindler.
He graduated from St. Marys Memorial High School in 1953. After a brief career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., he served in the U.S. Army where he was selected and proudly served as a member of the US Army Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Following his military service, he was employed as an agent for Nationwide Insurance in St. Marys for 32 years. Following his retirement, he and Shirley moved to Pickerington where he engaged in the storage and landscaping business with his son.
He enjoyed spending his time outdoors and meeting people. Vern’s Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was an engaged member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was always ready with a quick joke or story, but above all, he was immensely proud of his family. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and will be dearly missed.
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How does the guard rotation work? Is it an 8 hour shift?
Currently, the Tomb Guards work on a three Relief (team) rotation - 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 96 hours off. However, over the years it has been different. The time off isn't exactly free time. It takes the average Sentinel 8 hours to prep their uniform for the next work day. Additionally, they have Physical Training, Tomb Guard training, and haircuts to complete before the next work day.