Virgil L. Goff, 79, St. Paul, formerly of Erie and Elsmore, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at his home. He was in failing health.

He was born May 15, 1929, at Hepler to Sherman and Wilma Gier Goff. He was raised in the Stark area and attended school there.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1948 until his discharge in 1951, and then continued serving in the Reserves until 1955. He then began employment at Neosho County in the Road Division. He retired as Road Foreman in 1989.

He married Gloria Faye Harding on Dec. 23, 1952, at Huntsville, Ark. She survives. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage.

He was Methodist. He was a member of the George L. Hendrick’s Post 102, American Legion, Erie. He enjoyed nature, especially fishing and bird watching.

Survivors include a son, Steven Goff, Chicago, Ill.; two daughters, Sandi Niehoff, Loveland, Colo., and Loretta Sears, St. Paul; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wilford Goff, Virgil, and Jerry Goff, Birmingham, Ala.; and three sisters, Florence Burlakoff, Mulvane, Georgia Romine, Houston, Texas, and Carol Ludlum, Razel.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence Goff; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Edward Goff.

The body will be cremated. A memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Stark United Methodist Church with the Rev. Pauline Clugston officiating. A private burial will be held later at Bethel Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce-Carson Wall Funeral Home, Erie.

Contributions to the Stark High School Alumni Association may be made in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 182, Erie, KS 66733.