Virgil Aloysius Goeckner (101) of Effingham

Virgil Aloysius Goeckner, 101, of Effingham, IL, passed away surrounded by many of his children on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the Villas of Hollybrook in Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the Educational Trust Fund at St. Anthony School or to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Virgil was born on May 1, 1923, in Watson, IL, the son of George and Rose (Beckman) Goeckner. He married Hilma M. Bushur on October 15, 1946 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. She preceded him in death on December 23, 2018. Virgil was an Army veteran of WWII and served overseas. He was a hard-working man and as an electrician, established Goeckner Electric, which he owned and operated for many years. When it was time to retire, he and Hilma enjoyed traveling the U.S. and Europe and playing golf with friends. Virgil teased Hilma after she dyed his lucky ugly green golf pants to a more acceptable color; the pants were no longer lucky. Together with Hilma, he volunteered countless hours to multiple organizations within the community. Demonstrating the true meaning of living his Catholic faith, Virgil was an active parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church for almost 80 years. In his years spent at Hollybrook, nothing could interfere with his daily pinochle games with friends there. He had a ready smile and a good sense of humor–agreeing to his great grandchildren’s request to allow them to dye his hair on his hundredth birthday (thinking he would never reach that milestone). He did reach 100 and sported pink and blue hair at his 100th party. He was then informed that for the 101st he would receive painted fingernails. Again, he agreed and lived to gamely allow that to be done. The 102nd was to be a tattoo; evidently that wasn’t on his bucket list. Virgil was deeply loved and will be missed by us all. The family would like to thank Karen of hospice, 24-hour caregivers Jo Ann and Loretta, and Hollybrook personnel for the excellent care and comfort that they gave Virgil in his last weeks.

Virgil is survived by nine of his eleven children: Gary (Meg) of Effingham; Ron (Becky) of Normal; Dan (Debbie) of Mequon, WI; Vic (Sara) of Auburn; Rick (Barb) of Cedarburg, WI; Pat (Beth) of Rockford; Jean (Mike) Stone of Normal; Chris of St. Louis, MO; and Bryon (Roberta) of Edwardsville; 34 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; and sister, Marcie Burford.

He was preceded in death by wife Hilma, son Mike, daughter Marlene, four brothers, and three sisters.