Virgil Dale Mochel

Virgil Dale Mochel (91) went home to be with the Lord on 7/15/2022. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 71 years, Marian; his three children, Steve (Laurie), Jane, Carol (Walter); his eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents, Clem & Amelia (Schalliol) Mochel; sister & brother-in-law, Mary Jane & Lester Berger; brothers, Evans & Robert (killed in World War II); brother Richard; brother Ned; and son-in-law, Bill.

Virgil was born on a farm in Woodland, Indiana. He grew up in the same community as Marian, and they were married on 8/26/1951.

He graduated from Madison Township High School, received his BS and MS from Purdue University and his PhD in chemistry from the University of Illinois.

He served in the army during the Korean War and was stationed at the Army Chemical Center in Maryland.

Virgil worked at Corning Glass Works and retired from Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Akron where he worked as a research chemist.
He and Marian have lived in Wadsworth since 1965 and have been very active serving in the United Methodist Church, the FISH organization and their community as a whole.
Spare time was spent tending to his small farm where he had a large garden, an apple orchard and also raised beef cows. He enjoyed making homemade apple butter and sharing the experience with his friends and family.

Virg and Marian’s joy was making memories for their children which included traveling to many states and countries. They also had the job of creating memories with their grandchildren by picking apples and vegetables, climbing trees, going on truck rides, playing Run From Grandpa, and building a (still standing) club house.
God gifted Virgil with a kind heart, creativity, humor and a love of music. He sang in the choir, entertained people with his beloved tuba, and always liked to make people laugh. He wrote and directed 20 Christmas plays. He created humorous skits for various church functions, including the annual Sweetheart dinners. But one of his favorite achievements was being part of a quartet group called the Harmony Grits which entertained not only church festivities but many organizations in the community.
Virg was also a talented author. His first book was called Clem and Meelie, which told the interesting history of his family and life on the farm. He later published his autobiography, Virgil’s Story, and four illustrated children’s books: Buster and the Bull, A Friendly King, Ginger and the Roosters, and Buster’s Path.

Virgil was very thankful and gave glory to God for all the blessings, family and good friends he’s had along life’s journey.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, August 27th at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 63900 IN-331 Woodland, IN.  Burial will immediately follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Woodland with military rites by the American Legion 161 and VFW Post 360 burial squad.  Hahn Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.

Contributions may be given to the Wadsworth United Methodist Church or the Wadsworth FISH organization (150 College St, Wadsworth OH 44281).

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