Virgil L. Lanpher

On Monday, April 13, 2015, Virgil Lewis Lanpher was called to go home with our Lord Jesus. He was born in Montgomery County on July 27, 1923, the son of Thomas C. and Delia Hankins Lanpher. He was preceded in death by half siblings: Ed (Pearl) Hankins, Overt (Marie) Hankins, Leslie (Ina) Hankins and Lily (Haron) Davis.

He graduated from Thorntown High School in 1942. Upon graduation, he served with the 11th Airborne engineering division in the South Pacific involved in action in New Guinea, Leyta Gulf and the Philippines. A true member of the “Greatest Generation” who never missed voting and loving his country.

Virgil married Faye Ilene Michaels on October 21, 1945. She was his lifelong sweetheart and she survives. Their 3 children are: Linda Cooney, Gary (Jackie) Lanpher, and Trudy (Jim) Wright; grandchildren: Carol Ann (Rob) Hawkins, Haley and Blake Hawkins; Brad Lanpher; Dr. Beth (Mike) Morgan, Lucy, Olivia and Alaina Morgan; Brett Lanpher; Joe (Sarah) Wright, Andrew and Lillian Wright; Jenna (Jeremy) Snow, Tyler Snow.

Virgil delivered mail out of the Thorntown Post Office for 28 years before retiring in 1981. He was a lifetime member of the Thorntown Christian Church where he was an elder emeritus. He loved teaching his adult senior class always stating their next advancement from their class would be their best and last. He was well versed in the Old Testament with great understanding and application of New Testament. He always had a proverb or aphorism to make light of life and our serious nature. When grocery shopping in his last years he would always say “I’m not buying any green bananas today.”

After retiring, he and Ilene spent many enjoyable “Snow bird winters” in Florida, fishing and visiting with friends. When spring came he was eager to be a good tenant on his small farm near Thorntown. He cherished his time gardening, working with fruit vines and trees, woodworking, mowing, and having the companionship of a farm dog which filled his summer days. His love of nature gave him quiet time to meditate with the Lord.

He was a member of the American Legion and holding former membership in Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Kiwanis Club.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Myers & Hunt Mortuary, 116 West Plum Street, in Thorntown, Indiana (the former Russell & Hitch Funeral Home.)  Funeral Services are planned for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Thorntown Christian Church, 125 West Main Street in Thorntown, with Rev. Glen Jewell, officiating.  Interment with military rites will follow services at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Thorntown, Indiana.

Memorials may be made to Thorntown Christian Church or the Thorntown Public Library