Virgil R. Wenger, 84, of Beloit, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19, 2019.
He was born February 19, 1935 in Monroe, WI, to Virgil and Clarenda (Olson) Wenger Sr. Virgil graduated in 1952 from Monroe High School and in 1954 from Green County Normal to begin his teaching career at the age of nineteen in the one room rural school Sanders in Green County. Virgil taught at Hiawatha State Graded School from 1955-1960. Beginning in 1961, he taught Science and Math at Albany Public School as well as coached basketball. During this time, he served active duty with the 32nd Division in Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Ord, California where he obtained a rank of E5.
In 1965, the family moved to Beloit, WI, where he taught one year of sixth grade at Waterman Elementary School. From 1966-1973, he taught Science at Roosevelt Junior High becoming the Assistant Principal in 1973 and served in that capacity until the school closed in 1980. He was Assistant Principal at Lincoln Junior High School for one year, becoming Principal in 1981 until 1985 when Lincoln closed. He was named Principal at the newly opened McNeel Middle School from which he retired in 1994, having been in education for 40 years.
Mr. Wenger obtained his bachelor of Science degree from UW-Platteville, his Masters of Science in Teaching degree from UW-River Falls, and a Specialist degree in Administration followed from UW-Platteville. Virgil was a member of the Beloit Noon Lions and several educational organizations: NEA, WEA and AARP.
Virgil is survived by his wife Glenda of 62 years and their three children, Derek (Bonnie) Wenger of Milwaukee, Karen Stokes, Michelle (Phillip) Shope and Nancy Wenger all of Beloit; seven grandchildren and two great grandsons; sister, Clareda Neuenschwander of Monroe; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Paul Wenger; brother-in-law, Virgil Neuenschwander; nephew, David Neuenschwander; and a grandson, Scott Suhm.
A memorial for an educational scholarship will be established in Virgil’s name at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com
Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home
2355 Cranston Road
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 362-3444 Fax (608) 364-8774
funerals@daleymurphywisch.com
