Virgil Truman

Virgil Eugene Truman of Waterloo, formerly of Waucoma, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at his home, tenderly cared for by his family and Care Initiatives Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Grace Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa. The memorial service will begin at 10:00AM, with visitation one hour prior. The service will be live streamed on the Hugeback-Johnson funeral Home Facebook page. Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory in New Hampton is handling the arrangements. Military honors will be performed at the burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter on Friday, January 29 at 2:00 pm. Friends are welcome to attend. Virgil Eugene Truman was born in Tipton Iowa in 1933 to George E.Truman Sr., and Golda Bernet. On December 10, 1960, at the Wesleyan Student Center in Cedar Falls, he married Sandra Mae VandeBerg. To this union three daughters were born. His family knows that his patriotic spirit was cultivated in his elementary years. He grew up to serve his country in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955, serving as a forward observer in the 21st infantry regiment in Korea. The love of farming instilled by his grandpa gave him a desire to have his own farm. He purchased that dream in 1973, southeast of New Hampton, where they stayed until moving to Waterloo, in 2006. The seeds of tenacious love for God and family were Providentially planted in dad's life by the Jake and Marie Peters family. They welcomed him as one of their own when he was 16, and he remembered daily seeing Marie sitting in her rocking chair with her open Bible on her lap. Their family faithfully attended Stout Reformed Church, which of course included him, and the way they lived and loved transformed the course of his life and his understanding of family, for which all of us are eternally grateful. Virgil worked for John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works for 32 1/2 years, beginning in the powerhouse at age 18. He worked on the assembly line, then as a supervisor of two lines, retiring in 1983. He drove semi for R & L Trucking, thoroughly enjoying the travel and providing many adventure stories that his family still shares. He enjoyed hunting and golfing for many years, and after moving to Waterloo, took a great interest in landscaping. He developed a love for gospel music and enjoyed his years as a bass in the gospel quartet "3/4 Pro" which performed at many churches and special events. Virgil was known for his infectious smile and good humor. He invested intentional time with every family member, and taught us how to work, how to live, and how to follow Jesus, modeling that for three generations. He was active in every church he attended as Sunday School teacher, superintendent, deacon, trustee, youth leader, and volunteering whenever needed. He served His Lord and Savior willingly, not to earn his salvation, but in humble gratitude for the free gift of saving grace. One of his favorite Scriptures became reality for him as he entered glory, "Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle, and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 Survivors include his wife, Sandra; three daughters, Deb (Rick) Schult of Ackley, IA, Sherri (Scott) Davidson of Dakota City, NE, Michelle (Gene) Meyers of Ft. Madison, IA; ten grandchildren, Blaine (Bryndi) Schult, Carlee (David) Buhman, Holly (Josh) Young, Jake (Lachelle) Schult, Megan (Nathan) Gemmill, Cora (Darin) Hinrichs, Naomi (Cole) Stewart, Levi (Katie) Davidson, Chelsea (Seth) Stough, Derick (Kari) Ungs; fourteen great-grandchildren and counting, and one sister, Lois Leffler, and Harvey Eichlenborg. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, George E. Truman Jr., Charles Truman, Robert Truman, Lucille Carrier and Marie Post; his foster family members, Jake and Marie Peters, John and Darlene Peters, Harvey and Eleanor Peters, Jim and Esther Meyers, Carrie Eichlenborg, and Ken Eichlenborg, and Daryl Meyers. Special thanks to Pastor Wes, Care Initiatives Hospice, and Sam DeBerg for their gentle care of Virgil; and to the committee who prepared and served today's fellowship lunch.