PLEVNA - Virgil L. Geist, 94, died Oct. 21, 2009, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born Jan. 14, 1915, in rural Plevna, the son of Thomas William and Ottie Pearl Wyer Geist.

He was a 1932 graduate of Plevna High School, attended Sterling College and Kansas State Teachers College, now Emporia State University. A lifetime resident of Reno County, he was a farmer and stockman.

He belonged to Plevna Community Bible Church, where he was a Deacon and on the Board of Trustees at the church for 25 years. He was a member of Plevna and Fairfield School Boards for a total of 32 years; 4-H Club leader; Ark Valley REA Board; ASCS Board; Farm Bureau Board; Farmers Home Administration Board; Supervisor with the Soil Conservation Service; Reno County Extension Board; and was very active in the Gideons International.

On Sept. 1, 1937, he married Elizabeth Blasdel in Sylvia. She died Feb. 21, 1998. Survivors include: sons, Don L. and wife Holly, Arlington, Texas, Tom G. and wife Jackie, and Richard A. and wife Jean, all of Plevna; daughters, Mary Lou Comley, Hutchinson, Ruth M. Robb and husband Gene, Guide Rock, Neb., and Margaret A. Miller and husband Joe, El Cajon, Calif.; brother, Arnold, Salina; sisters, Eula Kittle, Liberal, and Jean Baker, Buhler; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Edward, and two sisters, Wreatha Blasdel and Evelyn Walker.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at Plevna Community Bible Church, Plevna, with Pastor David Green and Dr. Alva Goossen presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will greet friends from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Memorials may be sent to Gideons International or Plevna Community Bible Church, in care of the mortuary. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family