Walter J. Virkler Jr.

Walter Joshua Virkler, Jr., age 79, of Chatham, VA (formerly of Dickinson Center, NY), died Monday, February 22, 2010, at Danville Regional Medical Center.

He was born on November 30, 1930, in Sandy Creek, N.Y., and was the son of the late Walter Joshua Virkler and the late Catherine Schwenk Virkler.

He married Jane A. Woodard on November 26, 1955, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Pulaski, N.Y.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Woodard Virkler of the residence; five children, Valerie V. Bartlett of Chatham, Kathleen H. Chapman of Dickinson, NY, Rebecca J. Tobojka of Centerville, MA, Walter J. Virkler, III of Valparaiso, IN, and Sarah J. Scott of Valparaiso, IN; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces and a nephew.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Marie V. Easton.

He graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 1948, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher and a basketball guard. He pursued his love of sports throughout his life, becoming a champion horseshoe pitcher in NY State.

He attended Seton Hall University in 1948 –1949 and served in the U.S. Air Force during 1950 to 1954.

During his career, he negotiated and administered large contracts with General Electric, Picatinny Arsenal and the U.S. Postal Service. Also an entrepreneur, he owned and operated a ski lodge in Turin, N.Y., and the Four Corner’s Restaurant in Sandy Creek, N.Y.

Later in life he enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren, reading, running an antique shop, playing horseshoes and corresponding with people all over the world regarding shared interests.

He will be greatly missed by his family whom he loved most dearly. All felt his love and are proud to call him husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend.

He lived with his wife, Jane, in Dickinson Center, N.Y., from 1976 to 2009 when they moved to Chatham.

Mr. Virkler was a lifelong communicant, most recently of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, VA. He previously attended the Latin Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brushton, NY and St. Ann’s Catholic Church in St. Regis Falls, NY.

Funeral services were conducted at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Chatham, VA on Friday, February 26th.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church, North Main Street, St. Regis Falls, NY 12980.

Condolences can be sent to 1955 Slatesville Road, Chatham, VA 24531 or online at http://home.earthlink.net/~jw.virkler/