Virgil J. DeBoef, age 77, of Grinnell, Iowa, died on Saturday, May 1, 2004, at his home.

A funeral service was held 10:30 a.m. today, May 4, at the United Methodist Church in Grinnell with Rev. Keith Briggs of Grinnell officiating. Organist was Mrs. Kathleen Heffner. Casket bearers were his family. The Grinnell Veterans Ceremonial Unit folded and presented the flag. Interment will be at the Forrest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.

Friends called at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell beginning noon on Monday and the family was present at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Memorials may be directed to Youth Ministries and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

He was born on Feb. 9, 1927, on the family farm near Union Mill, Iowa, to Arthur and Gertie Hasselmann DeBoef. He was raised on the family farm and attended rural school. He also attended the former Clutchin College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

On Feb. 20,1951, he was married to Marie Elrod In Prairie City, Iowa. The couple lived near New Sharon and Prairie City, where they operated a grain and livestock farm. He also was in the banking business in Prairie City and Freeborn. Following his retirement be worked in the hardware business in Albert Lea. Mr. and Mrs. DeBoef moved to Grinnell, Iowa, in June of 2002.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Grinnell, and the Calvary Baptist Church, while living in Albert Lea. He was past president of the Lions Club in Prairie City and a member of the Jasper County Banker’s Association and the Farmer’s Co-op Board in Prairie City.

Survivors include his wife, Marie DeBoef of Grinnell; one daughter, Lee Plisch of Grinnell; three sons: Wayne DeBoef of Buffalo, Minn., Dan DeBoef of Mitchellville, Iowa, and Jim DeBoef of St. Ansgar, Iowa; ten grandchildren; and two brothers: Floyd DeBoef of Madisonville, Tenn., and Gene DeBoef of Punta Gorda, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one grandson, Michael DeBoef.