Virgil Whitener Jr., 86, of Jackson passed away Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Jackson Manor.
He was born Feb. 2, 1931, in Memphis, Tennessee, son of Virgil S. Sr. and Nola Moore Whitener. He and LaVerne Maze were married Jan. 26, 1957, in Fredericktown, Missouri. She survives.
Virgil graduated from Marquand (Missouri) High School and then farmed with his father. His career in banking was quite extensive as an agricultural loan officer at New Era Bank in Fredericktown, Cape County Bank in Jackson, Jackson Exchange Bank in Jackson and Wood & Huston Bank in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 2000.
Virgil was a member of Cape County Cowboy Church, where he and his wife, LaVerne, faithfully counted the Sunday offerings. He was a member of the American Legion in Jackson and was active in the Honor Guard Team.
His hobbies included flower gardening in the Men's Garden Club. In his younger days, he was known to be very athletic. He tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1950 and was exceptional at volleyball. Virgil served during the Korea War Era from Jan. 5, 1951, through Jan. 4, 1955, as staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Loving survivors include his wife, LaVerne; two sons, David (Mary) Whitener of Ellington, Missouri, and Dewayne (Carolyn) Whitener of Jackson; three grandchildren, Sarah (Scott) Montgomery, Jordan Whitener and Molly Whitener; and two great-grandchildren, Paul Montgomery and Wyatt Montgomery.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, with American Legion Post No. 158 services at 7 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Jim Matthews and Jim Morris officiating. Interment will follow in Whitener Cemetery in Marquand.
Memorials may be made to Cape County Cowboy Church or to Southeast Hospice.
Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.
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