Virginia Ruth Archer

Virginia Archer, 91, of St. Joseph, peacefully passed from this earth into Heaven on Tuesday, June 23, 2008, at Woodland Terrace, Bridgman. A joyful Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 11:00 AM at the Christian Reformed Church, 3275 Washington Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. John R. DeVries and Rev. Norm Thomasma officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, from 5-8 pm at theStarks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Lory's Place or to Ballet Magnificat, 4455 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39206. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Virginia was born on August 19, 1916, in Modoc, Indiana, to Rev. Charles and Jesse (Salmon) Archer. After graduating from Damascus High School in McClure, Ohio, Virginia received her BSM degree at Bluffton University followed by her MS degree from the University of Illinois. She studied and sang under the direction of Robert Shaw and in Vienna, Austria, at the Choral Directors Symposium. Music was her passion, and she passed on her joy of music to countless students as Choral Director for twenty-two years at Benton Harbor High School and six years at Lakeshore High School. Her choirs and ensembles repeatedly received honors at regional and state contests. She inspired outstanding performances in the musicals and concerts she conducted. Through her encouragement and support many of her students have excelled in musical careers. She served as a counselor at Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan, and was an adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble Festivals in Indiana and Michigan. She was awarded Life Memberships by the American Choral Director's Association and by the Monday Musical Club. She also was one of the first recipients to be honored by the Michigan School Vocal Musical Association Life Membership Emeritus Awards. It was because of her inspiration that the Council for the Christian Arts was founded to promote creative expressions of art which communicate the Good News of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a choral director and member of the Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph. She also was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter DG. Virginia is survived by her life-long friend, Mildred DeHorn, and Mildreds family. She was preceded in death by her parents and twin sisters.