Merle Virgil

Merle Virgil, 79, of Oskaloosa, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House of a rare condition, Multiple System Atrophy, MSA. Merle Richard Virgil was born January 17, 1945, in Primghar, IA, to Harold Leroy and Pearl Roberta (Mattice) Virgil of Gaza, Iowa. Merle grew up on a farm in a family of six boys; it was an active family, always busy with farm work. His father did custom baling and corn shelling, so there were always bales to throw and corn to scoop from the bins. There were cows to milk, chickens to feed, and horses to break. His pride and joy was his horse, Sunset. The boys never had to do chores on their birthdays! After high school, Merle attended barber college and finished January, 1964, his first job was in Aurelia, IA. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Davis, on April 18, 1964, at the Church of Christ in Sutherland, IA. They were blessed with a daughter, Rona Kay, three years later. The barbering business began to decline after a few years, so in 1970, Merle went to work for Super Value Grocery Stores. In 1972, he was employed by Fareway Grocery Store; this job grew into a 32-year career that began in Mason City. He would also serve stores in LeMars, Ames and finally, Oskaloosa, where he managed the store for 22 years, retiring in 2004. Merle’s favorite pastimes were taking his motorhome and boat to fish in Minnesota, driving his Minneapolis Moline tractors on tractor rides, woodworking, gardening, mowing the yard, and scooping snow (not so much!) As a member of Two Timbers Church of Christ, he served the Lord in every way he could. Merle and Kathy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April this year. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Ray and Leona Davis; a brother, Keith; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Virgil; two nephews, Kirk and Eric Virgil; two great-nephews, Dawson and Devin Hunt; a brother-in-law, Allyn Davis; and a sister-in-law, Cas Davis. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy; a daughter, Rona (Doug) Bradford of Aitkin, MN; a grandson, Garrick Bradford and his son, Houston of Urbandale, IA; a granddaughter, Gabrielle (Brian) Schaaf and their children, Blaire and Brady of Davenport, IA. He is also survived by four brothers, Robert (Ila) Virgil of Norton, KS, Chuck (Shirley) Virgil of Sutherland, IA, Dave (Lora) of Crane, MO, and Lyle (Carol) of Canby, OR; a brother-in-law, Lee Davis of Malabar, FL; an aunt, Nell Kammerer of Sutherland, IA; and nieces, nephews, cousins and many wonderful friends. Funeral services for Merle will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel. Following the service, cremation will be accorded, and his ashes will be buried in Waterman Cemetery in Sutherland, Iowa, at a later date. Visitation will begin at noon on Friday at the funeral chapel; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Two Timbers Church of Christ.

Merle Virgil

January 17, 1945 - November 11, 2024