- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1927
- Date Of Death: March 12, 2017
- State: Illinois
Virgil Hermes Eschbach died on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at OSF St. Elizabeth in Ottawa, just three weeks short of his 90th birthday.
Virgil was born in Ottawa on April 3, 1927 to Henry and Rose (Hermes) Eschbach.
Virgil lived his whole life on Ottawa’s west side, attending St. Francis Grade School and Ottawa High School. He left high school at the age of 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy and served on an LST in the Pacific, where, as he liked to say, he liberated the Philippines.
Virgil married Rose Mary Ernst on September 17, 1949. Together they built a home on Jackson Street where they raised their four children, Robert Eschbach of Ottawa, Nancy (Bernie) Raibley of Louisville, Colorado, Sharon Eschbach Coleman of Seattle, Washington, and James (Laura) Eschbach of Lake Villa, Illinois. Virgil worked as a printer at Illinois Office Supply Company and later at Libby Owens Ford.
Virgil was a child of the Great Depression and, as such, was known for his thriftiness. He enjoyed reminiscing with friends and family about growing up in Ottawa, swimming in the canal, and playing pranks as a boy. He enjoyed cooking, but more so, telling other people how to cook.
Virgil is survived by his wife and children as well as three grandchildren, Zachary Raibley, Mallory Potter and Ariel Miller, and four great-grandchildren.
Virgil is also survived by his sister-in-law Rita Eschbach and brother-in-law Cecil Cross.
Virgil was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Rosemary Sedlock, Gerald Eschbach, Phyllis Hallam, and Joseph Eschbach, and son-in-law, Ken Coleman.
