Virgil A. Rath

Virgil A. Rath, 79, of St. Augustine, Florida, formerly of Springfield and Pawnee, died at 5:05 pm, Saturday, October 6, 2012 at his home surrounded by family and close friends. He was born March 18, 1933 in Springfield, to Edwin and Lydia Mercier Rath. He married Jean Schneider on October 30, 1955 and she preceded him in death on February 6, 1999. He met and later married best friend Jane Nyberg on December 6, 2009.
He is survived by wife Jane; two daughters, Christine (Floyd) Schmidt of Lincoln and Becky (Doug) Adams of Keller, TX; three step children, Kim (Doug) Cyphers, Jay (Cindy) Miller and Judy Ann (Doug) Ayers; four grandchildren, Missy (Alex) Block, Michelle (Fiance’ Allen Blume) Olinger and Tyler and Abby Adams; eleven step-grandchildren and several nieces and cousins.
His parents, first wife, Jean, one infant son, David and brother, Leonard preceded him in death.
Virgil was a US Army veteran serving during the Korean era. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield; The Elks Club and The American Legion.
He was a resident of Springfield until 1993, moving to Pawnee, and most recently he was residing in St. Augustine Florida.
Virgil was a Telephone Technician for 42 years working for Illinois Bell Telephone Company; Ameritech and AT&T. He was a member of the Illinois National Guard Transportation 1144, retiring as Command Sergeant Major.
He was an avid outdoors man, enjoyed trapshooting, bowling and woodworking. He could usually be found tinkering around in the garage. In later years he loved to travel and camp.