Virgil poses in front of the Tarkio Nutrition Center on Main Street, where he enjoys eating lunch every day and visiting with friends.

Virgil Henning, back row, far right, was one of nine children born to Glenn and Fern Henning. This picture was taken in a studio in Shenandoah, Iowa, on Christmas morning when Virgil was around 11 years of age.

Virgil served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served as a Corporal from 1952-1954 and was stationed in Hawaii and Germany.

Virgil Henning married Sandra Winstead September 21, 1956, at the Westboro Methodist Church. The picture above was taken with their children, James, Carol, and Tony, in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. The picture at left was taken for their 50th wedding anniversary. Virgil and Sandra spent 67 blissful years of marriage together.

If you were to ask Virgil Henning to describe something special about himself, he’d say that he’s just “an ordinary American citizen.” But anyone who has met him knows different.

Virgil was born on April 25, 1930, to Glenn and Fern Henning. He grew up on a farm about seven miles east and north of Tarkio, Missouri, and was one of nine children. On the farm, Virgil and his siblings stayed busy helping with the cattle, hogs, wheat, corn, and alfalfa. The family butchered their own meat and gardened to provide hearty meals as they lived through the Depression years. Times were tough and they didn’t go to town much, but it wasn’t a loss as there were so many neighboring families living nearby that they all enjoyed getting together regularly for fun and games or just visiting.

Virgil attended (walked) to Moulton Country School, which was around two miles from his house. He and his family lived on the school district boundary line and each child was given the choice between attending school in Westboro, Missouri, or Tarkio. Virgil chose Tarkio High School and graduated with the class of 1949.

Virgil helped his father on the farm until the United States Army called his name and drafted him in February of 1952. The Korean War had been going on for two years at that point and Virgil was sent to basic training at Schofield Barracks on the island of O’ahu, Hawaii. He then went on to Germany where he served as a corporal, stationed near Munich for the remaining of his service, which lasted until 1954.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Virgil returned home and farmed for another two years. During this time, he met Sandra Winstead from Westboro, Missouri, who was a friend of his sisters. Virgil and Sandra were married on September 21, 1956, at the Westboro Methodist Church. Their lives encompassed 67 years of love shared with their three children, and that shared loved continued on down the line and now includes around 60 descendants. Sadly, Sandra passed away on Valentine’s Day earlier this year at the age of 85. But her love still shines and Virgil was so happy that nearly everyone was able to come home for her funeral.

After Virgil farmed for two years upon his return to the states, he worked for several years as a foreman for a government-owned grain bin facility. He then took a job at the meat packing plant in Phelps City, Missouri, where he worked for 18 to 19 years. Around 1964, the Hennings moved to the house on 4th Street in Tarkio where Virgil still lives. He took up the duties of greenskeeper at the Tarkio Golf Course, although he admitted that he was not a golfer by any means. However, despite his lack of putting skills, his greenskeeping skills must have been stellar as he worked there for around nine years before retiring at the age of 62. But, like most men his age, retirement did not actually mean “retirement.” Virgil then began farming with Mather & Sons, helping them out for another 18 years, as well as driving a truck for MoValley Ag outside of Rock Port for two seasons. He officially retired at the age of 80.

Although for some, 80 would seem like a good time to take it easy, Virgil is not one to sit around. For many years following his retirement, Virgil could be found exercising every day at Heartland Recreation Center (now the Tarkio Activity Center). The TAC even made a special Facebook post for him, one of their most loyal customers, showing him working out on a treadmill on his 88th birthday. His exercise regimen, staying out of trouble, working hard, and never smoking is what Virgil credits as leading him to 94 years of life.

Virgil has seen some major changes in those 90 plus years, such as farming with horses as a kid to watching modern tractors and combines working the fields, and seeing prices go from 50 cents for a meal in town back in the day to now paying anywhere from $15 to $50. But with everything in life, Virgil rolls with the punches and has kept his easygoing manner, kindness and big smile. Nowadays, he enjoys eating lunch at the Tarkio Nutrition Center where he can also visit with friends.

A farm boy turned into a soldier who became a loving husband and father, building a family that now numbers 60, working hard on the job into his 80s, and taking care of his health into today, Virgil is no “ordinary American citizen.” He’s extraordinary!