Virgil Johnson

Virgil Fritz Johnson was born on October 9, 1916, to Walter and Rosa (Mandelko) Johnson in Orson, Iowa. He was raised in the Orson area and attended country school. The family moved to the Woodbine area and Virgil attended school in Woodbine. Virgil's father died so Virgil farmed with his mother for a few years. Virgil married Rebecca "Betty" Probasco on June 1, 1938, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The couple bought a farm northeast of Woodbine and farmed until their retirement. In 1979 they moved into Woodbine.

Virgil was an active member of the Woodbine United Methodist Church where he served as head usher for many years. He was also a member of the Friendly Twelve Pinochle Club for over 40 years, the Woodbine Saddle Club, and the Honest John Coffee Club. He enjoyed playing cards and pheasant hunting.

Virgil died on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine at the age of 98 years, four months, and six days.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Johnson; two daughters, Denice Johnson and Barbara Jones; daughter-in-law, Carma Johnson; son-in-law, Charles Buchman; all of his brothers and sisters, Harold, Robert, Harlan and Bernard Johnson, Alice Johnson, Vera Ehlert, Florence Phillips and his special friend Delores Crose. He is survived by three children, Virgil Wayne Johnson and fiancée Marvel Heistand of Denison, Iowa, Connie Buchman of Marshalltown, Iowa, Gail Johnson and his wife Deby of Littleton, Colorado; son-in-law, Lee Jones of Marion, Iowa; eight grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruth Johnson of Dunlap, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

Woodbine Cemetery