Virginia Ann Brown, age 96, of Quincy, died Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 4:15 a.m. in Sunset Home.
She was born March 16, 1916 in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Walter Henry and Esther Bowe Degitz. She was a 1934 graduate of Quincy High School. On April 5, 1945 she married Orris ‘Melvin’ Brown in the parsonage of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Quincy. He preceded her in death on August 7, 2000.
In 1957 Melvin, Virginia, and their children moved to Summit, IL, returning to Quincy in 1977. Virginia attended Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL. She taught kindergarten at Zion Lutheran School in Summit, IL from 1958-1962 and at Faith Lutheran School in Oaklawn, IL from 1963-1964. Virginia had been a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she was past president of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She taught Sunday School in both Quincy and Summit. She would become the Sunday School superintendent. Virginia also wrote the Christmas programs and played piano. During the summers, she enjoyed Vacation Bible School
Virginia worked with the Girl Scouts for over 30 years, and she was a trainer, leader and cookie chairman. She received the “Thanks Badge”, which was one of the highest scout awards. As a volunteer, she worked at the LaGrange Colonial Manor Nursing Home in LaGrange, IL and at the Helping Hands Handicapped School in Brookfield, IL.
She was a current member of the Lutheran Church of St. John.
Survivors include her daughter, Charlene K. Brown of Quincy; her son, Melvin D. Brown and his wife, Catherine, of Rock Island, IL; five grandchildren: Karen Knopf and her husband, William, of Wisconsin; Nathan Brown of Wisconsin; Staff Sergeant Christopher Wheeler and his wife, Erica, of Minnesota; Chadwick Wheeler and his wife, Deana, of Arizona; and Spc. David Wheeler and his wife, Kodi, of Texas; six great-grandchildren: Cameron, Abigail, and Colin Knopf of Wisconsin; Taylor Sprentall and Tristan Wheeler of Arizona; and Jakob Wheeler of Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wilbur “Wib” Degitz.
Funeral Services: Friday, August 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Lutheran Church of St. John with the Rev. Jeremy Latzke officiating.
Visitation: Friday, August 3, from 1-2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of St. John.
Burial: Greenmount Cemetery
Memorials: The Lutheran Hour or The Lutheran Church of St. John.
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Arrangements by Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors
Thank you, Virginia, for all of your help. You were faithful to the church, to the Girl Scouts of America, and to your family. I find great solice in knowing that you are receiving your reward.