Vernon John Sill Sr., who operated a produce farm in Carroll County for more than 50 years, died Oct. 27 of kidney and heart failure at the Lorien nursing home in Columbia. He was 77 and had lived in Gamber more than 50 years.

Born in North Branch, Baltimore County, Mr. Sill was a 1942 graduate of Catonsville High School and was active as a young man in the Wards Chapel Methodist Church. When his father's farm was flooded to make way for Liberty Reservoir years ago, the family relocated to land nearby in Gamber.

Mr. Sill was married in 1947 to Edith W. "Tiny" Randall, who died in 1999. During their 52-year marriage, they owned and operated Sill's Produce Farm, which became a community gathering place.

Mr. Sill was active in the Carroll County Farm Bureau and in Calvary United Methodist Church in Gamber for more than 50 years.

Funeral services were Wednesday. The family suggested memorial contributions to Calvary United Methodist Church, 3939 Gamber Road, Finksburg 21048, or to the Wards Chapel Heritage Trust, 11023 Liberty Road, Randallstown 21133.

Survivors include a son, Vernon John Sill Jr. of Finksburg; a daughter, Linda Kurtzman of Sykesville; two sisters, Edna Dell of Woodstock, and Evelyn Hymiller of Sykesville; and five grandchildren.