Virgil Warren Jennings, age 97, of Granite City, Illinois, formerly of Dixon, was born November 25, 1923, at Granite City, Illinois, a son of Emmett William and Viola (Null) Jennings, and passed from this life Tuesday, September 21, 2021, in Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton, Illinois.

He was united in marriage November 6, 1982, at Edwardsville, Illinois, to the former Miss Trudy Ann Carey.

Virgil, at an early age, moved with his family from Granite City, Illinois, to Dixon, Missouri, the hometown of his parents.  He was raised on the family farm near Dixon and was a graduate of the Waynesville High School.

During World War II, he returned to Granite City, Illinois, and worked at the U.S. Army Depot.  Virgil was later employed at Albrecht-Hamlin Chevrolet, Wood River, Illinois, for 38 years, retiring in 1988.  He was a member of Donnellson Lodge No. 255, A.F. & A.M., Donnellson, Illinois; Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, Valley of Southern Illinois, Belleville, Illinois; and Ainad Shriners of Southern Illinois, East St. Louis, Illinois.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Jennings include:  His devoted wife of almost 39  years, Trudy Jennings, of their home in Granite City, Illinois; 1 daughter, Brenda Rulo, of Taylorville, Illinois; 2 sons, Donald Jennings of East Alton, Illinois, and Bret (Yvonne) Jennings of the state of Florida; 6 granddaughters; 2 grandsons; 4 great-grandsons; 2 great-granddaughters; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Emmett Jennings (5-4-1987); his mother, Viola Jennings (12-3-1959); 1 son, Ronald Jennings; 2 brothers, Clarence Jennings, and William "Bill" Jennings; 1 daughter-in-law, Judy Jennings; his son-in-law, Joe Rulo; and 1 great-granddaughter, Emma Miramontes.

A graveside funeral service for Mr. Virgil Jennings will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 4, 2021, in Dixon Cemetery, West Chestnut Street, Dixon, MO 65459, with his daughter, Brenda Rulo, officiating, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon.

Memorial correspondence to the family of Mr. Virgil Jennings may be mailed in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, MO 65459