Virginia Dunbar

April 18, 1923 - August 19, 2019

Virginia Dunbar, 96, of Oskaloosa died Monday, August 19, 2019, at her home in Oskaloosa. She was born April 18, 1923, in Rose Hill, Iowa, the daughter of Alex and Verla (Stout) Gable. She graduated from Rose Hill High School with the class of 1940 and from the Murphy School of Business in Oskaloosa in 1941. On November 1, 1944, she was united in marriage to Elmer Dunbar at the Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. To this union two children were born, Diana and Vicki. During WWII, Virginia was employed by the U.S. Civil Service Commission in Los Angeles, CA, then transferred to the Civilian Personnel Service at Army Air Force Base in Palm Springs where Elmer was stationed after he returned home from 30 months of being overseas serving his country with the Army Air Force in India. After the war ended, Virginia and Elmer returned to Rose Hill where they raised their two daughters. In Rose Hill she was the Chief Operator for Northwestern Bell and then worked as the Director of the School Lunch Program. Virginia was employed by the Oskaloosa Community School District for 22 years until retiring as the Board Secretary and Business Manager for the school district. She was past President of the Oskaloosa Altrusa Club, Honorary member of the Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Secretary of the Mahaska County Unit of Retired School Personnel, 20-year Secretary for the Agency on Aging, Secretary of the Rose Hill Alumni Association and of the Old Rose Hill Cemetery Association. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Mahaska Health Partnership Auxiliary and three times a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service. Virginia also spent many years as a certified election official. She was a lifetime member of the Rose Hill Community Church and served the church in many positions. Elmer passed away November 27, 1993 and Virginia then moved to Oskaloosa. Virginia’s family was an important part of her life. She enjoyed family get togethers and playing cards with her friends. Her family includes her two daughters: Diana (Mike) Lichter of Marietta, Georgia and Vicki Dunbar (Don Haines) of Iowa City; a grandson: Aaron Swisher and a sister: Mary Lou Sedrel. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother: Eugene Gable; her sister: Pauline Hite and a granddaughter: Michelle Hamlin. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 22, 2019, at 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Mike Sinnett officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin after 12:00 noon on Wednesday August 21, 2019 and the family will be present Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the chapel to greet relatives and friends. The family respectfully requests no plants or flowers, memorials may be made to Rose Hill Community Church or Oskaloosa Senior Center.