Virginia Austin "Ginny" Rogers

Virginia "Ginny" Austin Rogers, 99, of Hillsboro, died Friday morning, May 19, 2017 in her home.

She was born in Omaha, Neb. on Oct. 12, 1917, the daughter of James and Lillian Austin.

Ginny attended Rockford College, Rockford, Ill. and The Traphagen School of Design, New York City, N.Y. In 1941, she married Robert C. Rogers, an Air Force fighter pilot. Between 1941 and 1964, she and her husband worked and served on Air Force bases throughout the United States and in the embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Brazil, Virginia became involved in raising funds for a hospital. Her support and interest in hospitals continued in Hillsboro by serving on the HDH Board of Directors for over 30 years. Additionally, she managed the Highland District Hospital Gift Shop for 29 years with the help of many volunteers, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the hospital.

After retirement from the Air Force, Ginny and her family moved to the area and raised beef cattle on the Flying R Ranch. She was a member of Friday Club, Esoteric Club and Coterie Club. She attended the First Presbyterian Church and St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Hillsboro and later St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Cincinnati. In 2011, Ginny was inducted into the Highland County Women's Hall of Fame.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Rogers, colonel, USAF, on March 2, 2010; one son, Robert Arthur Rogers on April 29, 1954; and one sister, Dorothy Alexander.

She is survived by four children, Bill (Sally) Rogers of Pleasant Plain, Scott Rogers of Philadelphia, Pa., Anne (Glenn) Roush of Hillsboro and Barbara (David) Harrison of Lyons, Colo.: nine grandchildren, Madeline Rogers of Hillsboro, Ted Rogers of Newport News, Va., Sarah (Dustin) Canterbury of Charleston, W.Va., Rebecca (Andy) Pierson of Paonia, Colo., Emily (Richard) Roush-Elliott of Greenwood, Miss., Cynthia Roush of Indianapolis, Ind., Amy Harrison of Lyons, Colo., Wade Harrison of Boulder, Colo. and Kimberley Harrison of Lyons, Colo.; and two great-grandchildren, Leif Pierson and Cora Pierson of Paonia, Colo.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held June 3 at the First Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. Funeral services will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. alongside her husband and son (date to be announced).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 8101 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45255; and the HDH Foundation, 1275 N. High St., Highland District Hospital, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.

The Turner & Son Funeral Home is serving the family.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.