Virgil Counsell of Independence, Mo. died at 4:05 am June 18, 2024 at his home. He was 97.

The family will hold a graveside service at a later date at Osage, Iowa. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Osage Capital Campaign at Osage Community Schools, 820 Sawyer Drive, Osage, Iowa 50461 and specify the wrestling room project.

Virgil was born April 22, 1927 at Osage, Iowa and was a 1944 graduate of Osage High School where he won a state wrestling title in 1944. He also wrestled for the University of Iowa where he finished second in the Big Ten Tournament in 1945 and was a participant in the NCAA Wrestling Tournament.

Virgil was drafted into the United States Army in the fall of 1945 and honorably discharged in the fall of 1946, seven days short of serving one year. He was a company clerk, received the Victory Medal, and was recommended for future military duty.

Virgil returned to the University of Iowa and received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree in 1949.

In June of 1950, Virgil was drafted again and served 16 months in Korea as a member of the 302d Military Intelligence Service Unit. He received several awards and citations, including the Korean Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the 302d Mililary Intelligence Unit Commendation. In September of 1952 he was transferred as a SFC to the Ready Reserves. He was discharged from the inactive reserves in March of 1957.

Virgil operated a family farm east of Osage until 1967 when he began a civil service position in the Kansas City Payment Center. He retired in 1989 as a Social Security Claims Examiner in the Quality Appraisal Branch at Kansas City.

Virgil enjoyed following sporting events of his children and grandchildren, the University of Iowa, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He also enjoyed western movies, traveling, and having conversations with persons at restaurants prompted by ballcaps he wore supporting Kansas City and University of Iowa sports teams, and United States military veterans.

After residing 40 years in Independence, MO; Virgil and his wife, Dottie, returned to Osage where they lived ten years before moving back to Independence in 2018 to be near their children and grandchildren.

Survivors of Virgil Counsell include his wife of 71 years, Dottie, of the home; a son, David Counsell of Trenton, MO; a daughter, Julie (Jeff) Webb of Blue Springs, MO; grandsons, Raymond Phipps of Kansas City, MO. and Nathan Phipps of Independence, MO. Additional family members include Falohn (Michael) Swanson, Jeffrey Webb, Jr. and great-grandchildren, Thomas, Mabel, and Violet, all of Kansas City, MO.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Edna Counsell; a son, Tom Counsell; and brothers, Kenny, Merlyn, and Gene Counsell.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements through Royer Funeral Home at Grain Valley, MO.