Virgil Drabbels

Sept. 10, 1922-March 3, 2012

Virgil William Drabbels, 89, of Hay Springs, passed away March 3, 2012 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs

Funeral services will be Thursday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Hay Springs with Pastor Rodney Heilbrun officiating. Interment will be at the Hay Springs Cemetery.

Virgil was born to William and Clara (Gottier) Drabbels on Sept. 10, 1922 in Thedford, the oldest of three children. Later the family moved northwest of Gordon in the Milan and Pleasant Hill community where he attended country school and graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1939.

During this time Virgil was a stand out baseball pitcher who, along with his brother Lawrence, led his team to many victories. After a semester at Chadron State College he worked for the telephone company in the Rocky Mountains and then enlisted in the Marines. During World War II he saw such places as Guam, Guadacanal, New Caledonia, Okinawa and China.

He earned the rank of corporal and was honorably discharged in 1945, then hitchhiked to Twin Falls, Idaho where Audrey Perreten was teaching. They were married Feb. 3, 1946, and raised three children, Gary, Joan and Susan.

Upon their return to Nebraska they farmed south of Gordon and later on his mother's family place southeast of Rushville. Due to health issues they relocated to Hay Springs in 1955, purchasing the Marshall Wells hardware store. in 1958 he went into the mortuary business. After 35 years he retired and turned the business over to his son Gary.

Virgil served on the school board, city council, Chamber of Commerce, the United Methodist Church board and building committee. He coached baseball and was a Scoutmaster. Since 1964 his greatest interest has been Pioneer Manor, which he served board chairman for many years.

Even after retirement, Virgil remained active in community endeavors and had a positive influence in the community of Hay Springs and on his family.

He is survived by: his wife Audrey; sister, Leona Metcalfe of Buena Park, Calif.; sister-in-law Ida Mae (Kling) Drabbels of Alliance; son Gary (Raylene) of Hay Springs; daughters, Joan ( Bruce) DeHaven of Kearney, and Susan (Roy) Roberts of Rapid City, S.D.; ten grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lawrence; and three infant daughters-Carolyn, Colleen, and Jane.

A memorial has been established for the United Methodist Church or Pioneer Manor of Hay Springs. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com"

Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements.