Virgil Edwin Prenger

Virgil Edwin Prenger, 76, of Jefferson City, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 5, 1946, a son of the late Carl and Cyrilla (Kramer) Prenger. He was united in marriage to Patricia Cortvrient on April 18, 1970, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. On November 16, 1968, he was drafted into the United States Army as a Specialist 4. Basic Training was served in Ft. Leonard Wood and continued with IT training in Ft. Ord, California. He left the United States and served in the Vietnam War from May 1969 to April 1970. During his tour of duty, he was with Company D, 1st Battalion 35th Infantry 4th Infantry Division. His division was stationed in the Central Highlands of Vietnam- Laos/Cambodia, where he was a gunner with the 81mm mortar. He proudly carried his bi-pod for his full tour with diligence and determination through vicious operations and two helicopter crashes. He returned to the United States and completed his service in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and Ft. Hood, Texas, where he trained other soldiers how to operate the 81mm mortar. He WAS awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Rifleman, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, 1st Oakleaf Cluster and an Air Medal. After many years, he was reunited with Howard Jesse Hayes, (a brother in arms during the Vietnam War) who soon became a true brother at heart and a member of Virgil's family. In 1971, he was employed with Bonnott Brothers Well Drilling. They became a second family to Virgil, that he held near and dear to his heart. Virgil retired from Modine Manufacturing Company in 2010 after 30 years of dedicated service. He was a member of the Taos Knights of Columbus and the Wardsville Lions Club. He was also a member of the VFW American Legion and was awarded the Quilt of Honor on June 24, 2018. On June 30, 2016, he attended the Central Missouri Honor Flight #40. Virgil was raised on a family farm in Taos. He was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and garden. His family was his world, and he was happiest when they were together. He enjoyed watching his grandbabies play, and supported his family in everything that they did. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years: Patricia of Jefferson City; daughters: Cheryl White (Sean) of Eldon, Tana Buscher (Keith) of Taos, Darla Stegeman (Darrell) of Wardsville and Andrea Brown (Dwain) of Ludowici, Georgia; grandchildren: Austin and Courtney Buscher, Lily, Ainsley, Macy and Beau Stegeman, Jordis Mobley, and Amelia and Lindle Brown; siblings: Marilyn Moeller, Gary Prenger (Melanie), Dale Prenger (Linda), Betty Pohl (Don Smallwood), Kathy Schulte (Leo), Roy Prenger (Diane), Earl Prenger (Donna), Barbara Wieberg (Marvin); and sister-in-law: Carol Prenger. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Donnie Prenger; and brother-in-law: Ron Rimley. Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Michael W. Penn and Fr. Ignazio C. Medina officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the Wardsville Lions Club for friends and family following the committal service. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to K9s on the Front Line. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.