Submitted By: Mary Jo Koran

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – July 23, 1996

Virginia M. Marshall

March 24, 1918 - July 19, 1996

Virginia M. Marshall of Battle Creek, Mich., died July 19.

She was born March 24, 1918 to Walter and Frances Przybysz in South Bend, Ind.

She received her nursing degree from St. Mary's of Nazareth Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, in May of 1939. Also, she received her Operating Room Certification from Cook County Hospital in Chicago, that same year.

She was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital in South Bend, Ind. as Night Supervisor and Head Nurse responsible for the operating room. During World War II Virginia joined the Army as a 1st Lieutenant. It was in the Army where she met her best friend, and husband Sergeant Elmer M. Marshall, who she married in 1946. They were in the Army together so they decided to have a small ''Army'' of their own. . . eight children.

Virginia was employed by the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Battle Creek, Mich., as the night supervisor in the Intensive and Intermediate Care wards. It was at the Veterans Administration Hospital that Virginia retired after 23 years of service.

Virginia was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Legion of Mary, and Eucharistic Minister to shut-ins. A member of the National Association of federal employees, a member of the Military order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary, Reserve Officers Association of American Legion Post 54, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and a volunteer at the Red Cross Blood Banks.

In Virginia's earlier years she was an avid tennis player with the Catholic Youth Organization in South Bend, Ind. Also, she participated in Ballroom and Line Dancing.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Alice Horvath.

Her husband Elmer, of 50 years, survives with three daughters, Jacquelynn Obos of Reno, Nev., Sylvia Murphy of Grand Rapids, Mich., Jeanine Brotton of Salem, Ore.; five sons, Gerard of Rutland, Vt., Wayne of Marshall, Mich., Allan of Spokane, Wash., James of Omaha, Neb. and Steven of Battle Creek; 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services were held at 10 a.m. today in St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. James O'Leary officiating. Interment with military honors was in Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to American Heart Association.