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Virginia V. Irvin
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Virginia V. Irvin, age 85, died Thursday, June 12, 2008 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. She was born on January 11, 1923 in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Gerard and Mary (Nickels) Van de Sand. Virginia graduated from Fulton High School in 1940, she was the salutatorian; she attended Frances Shimer College, Mt. Carroll, IL from 1940 to 1942; and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1945 with a masters in science in medical bacteriology. Virginia married Dr. John M. Irvin on September 15, 1945 in Fulton, IL.

Genealogy was her passion. Virginia pursued her genealogical interests for almost 40 years. During this time she helped numerous researchers and authored several booklets of Green County headstone inscriptions. She was active in the Green County Historical Society and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mayflower Society, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. She held several positions in the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, including treasurer, newsletter editor, and membership chairman. In recognition of her long service and instrumental role in strengthening the organization's financial health, the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society in 2006 established the Virginia V. Irvin Volunteer Hall of Fame for outstanding service. She was an active member of the Alpine Curling Club and Monroe Country Club.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. John Irvin of Monroe; 2 sons, Charles Gerard (Lauren) Irvin of Colchester, VT and Robert Bruce (Jill) Irvin of Portland, OR; 3 daughters, Sandra Louise Irvin of Tampa, FL, Diana Gwen (Sidney Murphree) Irvin of Louisville, KY and Carol Virginia (Steve Daly) Irvin of Greenfield, NH; and 6 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, 1455 Mansion Drive and 18th Avenue in Monroe with Monsignor Thomas Campion officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wisconsin State Genealogical Society or the Wisconsin Historical Society, in Virginia's memory.