Virgil Drilling
May 15, 1929 ~ January 20, 2009
Virgil Cyril Drilling, age 79 of 0elwein, formerly of New Hampton, died Tuesday morning January 20, 2009, at the Oelwein Health Care Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2009, at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph Center, New Hampton, with Msgr. Carl Schmitt celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed on the casket by Helen Valvoda, June Ryan, Sherry Hurst and Sue Swanson and the offertory gifts will be presented by Helen Valvoda and Sherry Hurst.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with Larry Valvoda, Dale Valvoda, Steve Valvoda, Bob Drilling, Jim Drilling and Rich Drilling serving as pallbearers.
Friends may call beginning 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in New Hampton is in charge or arrangements.
Virgil C. Drilling was born May 15, 1929, in Cresco, IA, the son of Nick J. and Teresa (Kapler) Drilling. He attended school in Cresco and was a 1949 graduate of the Cresco High School. Virgil then graduated from Allied Institute of Technology in Chicago. He became employed as a graphic technician for the City of Des Moines until retiring in 1993. Following retirement, Virgil continued to live in Des Moines until he suffered a stroke in 2003.
When Virgil recovered he moved to the Mealy Apartments in Oelwein to be near his sister, Helen Valvoda. When his health deteriorated further, he became a resident of the Oelwein Health Care Center until his death.
Virgil was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters for over 60 years, a former member of St. Ambrose Cathedral while in Des Moines and upon moving to Oelwein he became a member of Sacred Heart Church and the Sacred Heart Senior Citizens. Virgil will be remembered by his family for his adventurous spirit as he spent most of his vacation time hiking in the mountains of Colorado, Idaho and California.
Survivors include two sisters, Helen Valvoda of Oelwein and Arlene McGuigan of San Diego, CA; a sister-in-law, Gloria Drilling of New Hampton and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Jerome Drilling, Hugo Drilling, Arnold Drilling and Edward Drilling.
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We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Virgil’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with Uncle Virgil, including our last phone call with him on Christmas 2008. He had interests in so many things and always wanted to know the latest about business and technology in California. We know he loved the mountains and the outdoors. We will always remember his positive spirit and friendly demeanor.
I am so sad to hear of Virgil’s passing. He was my Grandpa’s roommate at the Oelwein Care Center, and we always enjoyed visitng with Virgil when we were there. He always had a smile and a chuckle, and he always was up on the current events with his Des Moines newspaper always nearby. He was an interesting man, telling of his past work and travel experiences. We are thankful my Grandpa had such a nice roommate and friend in Virgil. He will be missed.
We are neighbors from out on the Drilling farm and want to convey our sympathy. Duane also worked with Virgil at the Tribune office back in the 50’s. Please extend our thoughts to the family.
I was saddened to hear of Uncle Virgil’s passing. I will pray for his soul and add him to the prayer list at my church.