Virgil William Smith, 98, died Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Appleton Medical Center, Appleton, WI.

He was born September 19, 1922 in Stockton, Illinois, son of the late Anthony Sr. and Elizabeth (Becker) Smith. On September 4, 1945, he married the love of his life Janetta Mae Smith in Apple River, Illinois. They were blessed with 73 years of marriage and three wonderful children: Karen, Colette and Kevin. He was a proud Army Veteran of WWII and joined at the early age of 17. He belonged to the 31st Division that stormed Normandy at Omaha Beach. In his early years, he and Janetta lived in Waukegan, IL where he worked at Abbott Laboratories. They moved to Warren, IL where he worked for ABS as an Artificial Inseminator. Later they moved to Gratiot, WI where he served as the Village Police Officer and worked at Janlin Plastics in Warren, IL. After retirement they lived in Bonduel, Shawano and lastly in Waupaca, WI. Virgil was an avid fisherman, Euchre card player, bean bag champ, deer hunter and coin hunter. He loved showing the grandkids and the great-grandkids how to filet fish and catch the big ones! He also loved beating them in Euchre or bean bags. Holidays were very special to Virgil and he loved spending them with his family up north at the cottage sitting around the campfire “Roasting” one another into the wee hours of the morning!

Virgil is survived by his children: Karen (Rollie) Hendrikson of Wittenberg, WI; Colette (Joe) Esch of Waupaca, WI and Kevin (Lisa) Smith of Dubuque, IA; grandchildren: Shannon (Tom) Wahl, Cadott, WI; Shane (Cheryl) Hendrikson, Wausau, WI; Slade (Angela) Hendrikson, Holmen, WI; Nicole (Shonn) Breton, Cheshire, CT; Derek Hubner, Neenah, WI; Luke Smith (Ariel Lahham) Phoenix, AZ; Natalie (Stefon) Brown, Phoenix, AZ and Alex Smith, Denver, CO; great-grandchildren: Eric Hendrikson, Wausau, WI; Ashley Blackwell, Augusta, GA; Rich (Rachel) Hendrikson, Bancroft, WI; Madeline and Nelson Wahl, Cadott, WI; Sienna and Ava Breton, Cheshire, CT; Mason Hubner, Neenah, WI; Drew Hendrikson, Holmen, WI and Averi Mae Brown, Phoenix, AZ; great-great-grandchildren: Willow Blackwell, Autumn Rayne, Levi and Havalah Hendrikson; step-grandchildren: John (Caitlin) Brown and son Henry, Kronenwetter, WI; Megan Buttner, Salt Lake City, UT; Lucas and Erin Buttner and daughter Nalani, Salt Lake City, UT; Jenni (Merlyn) Catron, Neenah, WI; Jessica (Aaron) Van Zeeland and children River and Willow, Neenah, WI; Donna (Matt) LeClair and children Charlotte and Nolan of Rhinelander, WI; along with many nieces and nephews.

Virgil was preceded in death by his wife Janetta, his parents and siblings: Cecelia Fox, Anthony Smith Jr, Mertes Smith, Viorena Courtright, Vinetta Hagerty and Donnie Smith and one great-granddaughter Kathryn Grace Kelly Hendrikson.

The Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. The visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery.

The Family would like to thank the entire Staff at Park Vista Assisted Living for the loving care they have given to Virgil, especially Louise who faithfully cared for his fish Jimmy.