Tonnies, Virgil

Virgil O. Tonnies, 71, of Damiansville, died Monday, October 16, 2006 at Aviston Countryside Manor in Aviston. He was born December 15, 1934 in Damiansville, son of Fred and Euphemia (Markus) Tonnies. He married Delores A. "Dee" Boeser on October 26, 1968 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland and she survives in Damiansville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Charles "Chuck" Tonnies of Highland; four brothers, Daniel Tonnies and wife Myrtle of Albers, Fred Tonnies and wife Gloria of Belleville, Ralph Tonnies and wife Helen of Breese, and Jerry Stockmann and wife Julie of Aviston; three sisters, Florence Arentsen and husband Vince of Damiansville, Vera Mullen of Stelton, CT, and Betty Dwyer of Bernalillo, NM; and brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Jerome and Audrey Boeser of Edwardsville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters in infancy, Denise Ann and Mary Alice Tonnies; his stepmother, Veronica (Stockmann) Tonnies; a brother, Paul Tonnies; two brothers-in-law, John Mullen, and Gary Dwyer; and two sisters-in-law, Lorine Tonnies and Florence Tonnies. Mr. Tonnies was a retired dairy farmer. After his retirement, he was a school bus driver for Damiansville School. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of St. Damian Parish and Holy Name Society and the American Legion Post 1026. He enjoyed playing cards and watching baseball games. A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2006 at St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville with Msgr. Donald Eichenseer officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Damian Cemetery in Damiansville. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2006 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2006 at Hempen Funeral Home in Albers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or St. Damian Church and will be received at the funeral home.