Virgil G. Gingerich, 58, West Branch
Obituaries · February 05, 2025
Virgil G. Gingerich, 58, of West Branch, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Crestview Specialty Care Center in West Branch.
Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, also at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery in rural Atalissa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Virgil Gingerich Memorial Fund.
Virgil was born on May 2, 1966, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Ralph Gale and Evelyn (Swailes) Gingerich.
He graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1984.
Virgil was married to Kathy Burmeister, and together they had two children, Tim and Tabitha. He later married Jill Karr, with whom he had two more children, Amber and Jacob. For the past 14 years, he shared his life with Gayle Van Est.
Virgil’s early career included working in maintenance at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He then became a business owner, operating Virgil’s Sinclair and Virgil’s Repair. Over the years, he contributed his skills to the West Branch school system’s transportation department, River Products in Coralville, and J.J. Nichting Company in West Liberty.
Dedicated to his community, Virgil served on the West Branch Fire Department for many years and was an active member of the West Branch Lions Club and the 319 Ride With Pride Motorcycle Group.
He found joy in outdoor activities like fishing, hunting and camping. He also enjoyed driving his stock car and participating in local trailer races.
Virgil was passionate about motorcycling, often traveling to the Black Hills and enjoying time at the Old Thresher’s Reunion.
Virgil is survived by his significant other, Gayle Van Est of Atalissa; his children, Timothy Gingerich of Maquoketa, Jacob Gingerich of Iowa City, and Amber Gingerich of West Branch; son-in-law: Marc Waite of West Branch and bonus children Paula (Todd) Rogers of Atalissa and Paul Lichtenstein of Grand Mound. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Cheyanne, Zayden, Katlynn, and Kiley Waite; Mya Gingerich; Jacob and Avery Rogers; and Ava and Jorja Lichtenstein; as well as his brother, Darrell (Linda) Gingerich of Columbus Junction. Virgil’s loyal canine companion, Beth, was always near.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Evelyn; his daughter, Tabitha; his brother, Duane; and his cherished dog, Zoey, who provided comfort during his first battle with cancer.
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