Virgil K Grisham

Virgil Kenneth Grisham, born April 26, 1921 in Creal Springs, Illinois died 12/1/2010. Resided in Joliet, Illinois for 58 years. Virgil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Survived by his wife of 61 years, Geraldine (nee Troutt), 2 sons Kenneth (Linda) Grisham and Donald, both of Joliet; 2 grand-daughters, Jennifer Grisham-Dobbs (Michael), Lisa Theobald (Eric); 4 great grandchildren, Jackson Theobald, Trevor Theobald, Simone Grisham-Dobbs, Beckett Grisham-Dobbs; 2 sisters, Dorothy Murrie and close friend(Tom Morris) of Lockport, Illinois and Marilyn Fowler of Vienna, Illinois; 2 nieces, Linda Atkinson of Lockport, Illinois, and Patsy Cameron (Idaho); 2 nephews, Gary Murrie (Judy) of Alabaster, Alabama and Gerald Murrie (Donna) of New Lenox, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents Milo Green Grisham and Dollie Grisham; 2 brothers, Duane and Robert and one sister, Dimple Shouse.

Virgil was a decorated World War II veteran serving as a staff Sergeant in the U.S Army in England, France, Germany, and Belgium, including the infamous Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes, Belgium. He received the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, 3 Overseas Service Bars, 1 Service Stripe, Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Star Medal.

Virgil was employed by Uniroyal Inc. working at the Joliet Arsenal for 34 years as a fireman. He was an active outdoorsman and loved fishing, hunting, gardening, watching sports and playing cards. In lieu of flowers, donations in Virgil"s name to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.

Visitation will be tonight, Thursday from 6-8 P.M. A Chapel Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 11 A.M. Pastor Bob Hahn will be officiating. Interment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with full military honors.