Virgil Rock, 97, of Novinger, Missouri, passed away Saturday (November 22, 2014) at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

The son of Joe and Jennie (Ronchetto) Rock, he was born December 22, 1916 in Novinger, Missouri.

Virgil is survived by one nephew, Fred Rock of Webster Grove, MO; one niece, Jeanette Pope and husband Bill of Palmyra, MO; five great nieces and three great nephews, Cheryl Hawkins and husband Tom and Shonda Woods all of Kirksville, MO, Marty Martin and wife Sandy of Novinger, MO, Rhonda Blacksmith and husband Kelly of LaPlata, MO, Jeffrey Martin and wife Colleen of Novinger, MO, Janet Jones and husband Rusty of LaPlata, MO, Calvin Pope of Palmyra, MO and Jean Kimmel and husband Rusty of LaPlata, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Clementino Rock; one sister, Norma Ronchetto and two nieces, Betty Hightower and Norma Jo Martin.

Virgil was a lifelong resident of Adair County and was reared in Novinger where he received his elementary and high school education. He attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois.

Virgil served in the United States Army during WWII. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and worked at Ruby Green Produce, in Kirksville, before moving to Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked for Sinclair Refining Company for over seven years. He resigned from his position and returned home where he worked for several firms as bookkeeper and office manager for Phillip Mihalovich Construction and last for Gleason Auto Parts until retiring in March of 1979.

Virgil was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church of Novinger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday (November 25, 2014) at St. Rose Catholic Church in Novinger, with Father Chris Cordes officiating.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday (November 25, 2014) for one hour before Mass at St. Rose Catholic Church.

Pallbearers will be Tom Hawkins, Marty Martin, Jeff Martin, Kelly Blacksmith, Shonda Woods and Rhonda Blacksmith. Honorary pallbearers will be Calvin Pope, Cheryl Hawkins, Janet Jones and Jean Kimmel.

Interment with military honors will follow the service at Novinger Cemetery in Novinger, Missouri, under the direction of Travis-Noe Funeral Home of Kirksville.