Virgil Koons

    Memorial Day was a celebratory day for Virgil L. Koons. He was invited to a cookout on that day in 1984 where he met a wonderful woman and married her four months later. Thirty four years later to the day, he met Jesus and took his first full breath of oxygen in Heaven, something he had not been able to do for a very long time.

    Virgil was born on August 17, 1930 to George and Queen Isabelle Koons of St. Marys. He grew up on their farm learning the hard work ethics that led him to a long life of always being busy.

    He graduated from St. Marys High School where he played on the football team which eventually led him to coach the sport he loved. He loved to learn. And he loved to joke with anyone who would give him that moment to say something to bring a smile. He never knew a stranger.

    The United States Navy helped Virgil to hone his skills as a mechanic in the engine room of the mammoth ships. He served four years during the Korean War era spreading his quick wit to all he served with.

    Huntington College awarded Virgil his Bachelor Degree in Education before he earned his Masters Degree in Education Administration at Miami University.

    On September 4, 1955, Virgil met Joyce Fetters who soon became his wife. They were blessed in the marriage with the birth of their two children, Beth Ann and Mark Douglas.

    In 1983 Virgil lost his wife, Joyce, to cancer. He continued to devote his time and energy to his friends and family. Hunting trips, favorite fishing holes were shared with those who knew him the best.

    Then on Memorial Day,1984, he met Betty Hileman Barber, who had lost her husband two years earlier. And he introduced her to his favorite fishing hole. They were married four months later. She brought two more daughters into his life, Velma Lee Barber and Mary Ellen Egbert had a new dad. They survive.

    Others surviving the presence of this great man are Mark’s wife Susan and their daughter Amanda;. Beth Ann, Nance Wray, step-children, Caroline and Johnny Kinsella; Velma’s husband Chris Lipson and their daughter Joely; Mary Ellen’s husband, Steve and their daughters and husbands, Lee Ellen (Matt) Daniel, Diana (Matt) Seiber, and Stefanie (Johnathan) Hale.

    Virgil was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren; Amanda Koons, Raenah Daniel, Isaiah Daniel, Gabriel Daniel, Ayaka Machimura, Britton Seiber, Caedance Hale, Tylee Hale, Nylah Hale and Jericho Hale. They will miss their grandpa-great and the way he would always joke around with them.

    Virgil grew up with a brother, Bob Koons and a sister, Bonnie Ashford. The old days on the farm were a favorite topic the three of them would reminisce about and reveal the secrets of their childhood. Their loss of his infectious laugh and history together leaves behind a bitter sweet memory.

    Many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, students, friends and fellow teachers are also counted in the number of the people he touched and helped to make their lives  better.

    Those who left this earth before him were Virgil’s wife, Joyce, his parents and a son-in-law, Dan Kinsella.         

    For 30 years he did the thing he loved, teach. The first few years of his career he taught English and Math before he turned his sights to guiding young people, and there

were many, through their introduction into marketing where he stayed until his retirement from Sidney High School.

    He worked for Ace Hardware after his retirement due to his need to be with people and spread that energy. Then he was hired into the City of Sidney Transportation where he worked until he retired for the final time.

    Virgil loved spending time with his family and friends, NASCAR, Bengals Football, reading, listening to the music from his days as a young man and traveling. He remembered lines to poetry and all the words to his favorite songs. He knew God and now resides in the mansion built for him in Heaven.

    Visitation hours at Adams Funeral Home are 5pm to 8pm on Thursday and again on Friday morning from 9 to 10. The funeral service including the full military service will begin at 10am at Adams Funeral Home. A lunch is being served immediately following the services at the Nazarene Church on Wapakoneta Avenue. Those who wish to attend the graveside service are invited to ride in the procession to Celina after the luncheon.

    If anyone prefers to donate a remembrance in his name, Virgil would be pleased with acknowledgement to the Nazarene Church in Sidney or Wounded Warriors Project. He was a supporter of many causes he believed were helping people.

    Those who knew Virgil best will always smile as they remember his favorite lines. And if you ever hear someone say “I wouldn’t trade you for a mule if it was standing in the middle of the road,” smile, because that person knew Virgil Koons.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virgil Koons, please visit our floral store.