Virginia Lonning

Virginia Harmon Lonning VIRGINIA BEACH - Virginia Harmon Lonning of Alliance Drive died July 25, 2009, in Palm Springs, Calif. Mrs. Lonning was born Aug. 3, 1915, in Jefferson, Iowa, the only child of the late Julius Augustus and Ella Forche Harmon. In her early childhood, the family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she was educated in the public schools and was a 1935 graduate of Tobin Business College. She married Joseph E. Lonning in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1940. Their residences included Grand Island, Neb., Birmingham, Ala., Cleveland, Ohio, Sydney, Australia, and Battle Creek, Mich. After Mr. Lonning's death in 1995, Mrs. Lonning retired to homes in Virginia Beach and Palm Springs. As a 45-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Mrs. Lonning was an active member of Presbyterian Women, served on the Board of Elders, and was a vocal soloist in the Chancel Choir. In 1957, Mrs. Lonning became a Charter Member of the Battle Creek CR Chapter of the P.E.O. International Sisterhood, and later served as its president. Mrs. Lonning was a Board and Guild member of the Battle Creek Symphony. She was a pioneer supporter of the Music Centers of South Central Michigan, including the Music School and Battle Creek choruses, and served as a director until the time of her death. She is survived by daughter, Linda Lonning McSherry of Palm Springs, Calif.; son, Stephen and his wife Josephine of Virginia Beach; and grandchildren, Michelle McSherry, Erin McSherry Aikens, Patrick Lonning and Eric Lonning. A funeral was held Saturday, Aug. 22, at First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, followed by entombment at Memorial Park Cemetery, also in Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music Centers of South Central Michigan www.musiccenterscmi.comor the Battle Creek Community Foundation www.bccfoundation.org.