Virgil Eugene Coryell

Virgil E. Coryell, 85, of Lexington passed away Sunday, June 3, 2018 at the Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington. Virgil was born November 16, 1932 in Broken Bow, Nebraska to Arthur and Pearl (Juel) Coryell. The family moved to Lexington where Virgil attended school until leaving for the Sandhills to be a cowboy. He worked for several ranchers in the Sandhills until joining the Army in 1953. He spent three years serving his country in Germany and was honorably discharged on March 10, 1956. Upon returning home, Virgil gained employment at REA (Dawson Public Power). On a beautiful evening in June of 1957 he stopped to change the tire for a beautiful, little fraulein named Virginia and their love story began. They were united in marriage on December 7, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oconto, Nebraska. Six children were blessed to this union; Cathy, Connie, Cheri, Mark, Ronda and Trish. Their marriage was a model of perfection, loving each other until the last beat of their hearts. Virgil enjoyed many hobbies in his lifetime; hunting, fishing, restoring old cars, riding motorcycles but his true passion was flying. He worked at the Lexington Airport to pay for flying lessons and became a licensed pilot in 1967. His motto through life was “Give it full throttle” and that is how he lived. He served on the Lexington Airport Authority beginning in 1987, resigning only recently due to health concerns. He retired from Dawson Public Power after 37 years and was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church for eighty plus years. Virgil leaves to mourn his passing, six children: Cathy Messbarger of Hutchinson, Kansas, Connie (Bruce) Hird of Cozad, Nebraska, Cheri (Ed) Craig of Derby, Kansas, Mark (fiancé Tasha Ovando) Coryell of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ronda (Chuck) Smith of Maize, Kansas, and Trish (Porf) Bliven of Lexington, Nebraska; one brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Martin of Eddyville, Nebraska; three sisters-in-law, Bonnie Eggleston of Oconto, Vi Eggleston of Oconto, Nebraska, and Darlene (Verlouis) Forster of Smithfield, Nebraska; two sisters, Dee Bacon of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Joan (Verlyn) Wolf of Boise, Idaho; sixteen grandchildren, Meghan, Jon Aaron, Christina, Maria, Cameron, Heather, Amber, Justin, Jennifer, Joshua, Kobe, Kensington, Tianne, Tawny, Joseph, and Jessica; four step-grandchildren, Jarrod, Lindsey, Kirsten, and Angela; twenty-four great-grandchildren; also surviving are nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia Coryell; brothers, Jerome and Jim Coryell; sister, Rita Pierce; sisters-in-law, Roma Coryell, Beulah Eggleston, Ruth Magoon, and Pearl Martin; brothers-in-law, O.T. Bacon, Kenneth Eggleston, Keith Eggleston, Donnie Eggleston,  Sid Magoon and Jim Davis; granddaughter, Regina Araujo; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Gregg; son-in-law, Randy Messbarger. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 7, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Jose Chavez, celebrating. Burial with military honors will be in the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 6, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. with Wake Service to follow at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to Dawson County Relay For Life –American Cancer Society, St. Ann’s Catholic Church or St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com