Morris, John Virgil 1923-2004

MORRIS, THOMPSON, HEIL, BENDA, ROSE

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 9/23/2004 at 17:42:26

Virgil Morris
September 21, 2004

John Virgil Morris, 81, of Mount Pleasant died at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004, at his home.

Mr. Morris body has been deeded to the University of Iowa for medical research. A celebration of his life is planned for a later date.

Memorials have been established to Veterans Administration Hospital Volunteers of Iowa City and Great River Hospice of Burlington.

Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel of Mount Pleasant is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Morris was born Aug. 16, 1923, in Hillsboro, the son of Rex S. and Mary L. Thompson Morris. He married Ida Belle Heil Dec. 4, 1943, in Riverside, Calif.

He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. He was drafted into the United States Army July 9, 1943, and served in the European Theater during World War II in Company D, 410th Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division. He was discharged from active duty April 22, 1946, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

He then owned and operated the Phillips 66 station in Mount Pleasant. He later was employed as a tank wagon salesman by DX for 30 years. He was custodian at Mount Pleasant Junior High School for seven years until his retirement.

Mr. Morris was a member and former commander of the VFW in Mount Pleasant. He enjoyed spending time with his family, boating, fishing, hunting and gardening.

He was of the Protestant faith.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Brian Morris and wife Darla of Mount Pleasant; one daughter, Bev Benda and husband Jim of Mount Pleasant; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Orville Morris of Fairfield; and one sister, Patty Jo Rose of Burlington.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2004