Laverne Edward Barnum was the son of Clifford Eugene Barnum and Mary Novak. He is listed in the 1930 census as simply Edward and in 1940 as Lavern E.
He was born July 30, 1925 and died October 8, 1995 and is buried in Ava Cemetery, Douglas County, Missouri. His gravestone, pictured on Find A Grave, has the inscription: Laverne Edward Barnum, BMG3 US NAVY, World War II Korea and his dates. His nickname was "Barney". Laverne was first married to Catherine Churpdy and on September 27, 1953 in Douglas County, Missouri he married Dolores Jean Potts. It was the second marriage for both.