Donald Virgin
Bethalto | Save
Donald "Don" Wilford Virgin, of Bethalto, Illinois, passed away on May 24th, 2026. He was born on August 9, 1939, in Wood River, the son of Virlin Virgil Virgin and Dorothy Clara Rehling Virgin.
Don was a 1957 graduate of Civic Memorial High School, where he was remembered as a notoriously tough football player. Following graduation, he served in the United States Marine Corps in 1957 as a member of Platoon 396.
Don lived a full and active life. In the 1960s, he was a member of the Alton Bay Water Ski Club, where he participated in ski shows, jumped ramps, and helped form the base of the human pyramid. He also loved fishing for largemouth bass, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.
Don was a longtime Bethalto businessman. He owned the IGA grocery store at 126 S. Prairie Street in Bethalto, worked for Ralston Purina, and later owned and operated Virgin Carpet Cleaning, also in Bethalto.
Don was married three times during his life. From those marriages, he was blessed with children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna “JoAnn” Virgin; his son, Jeffery Scott Virgin; and his parents, Virlin and Dorothy Virgin.
He is survived by his daughters, Tracey (Jack) Hurley of Springfield, Illinois, and DeAnna McGrew of San Jose, California; his son, Brandon Todd (Joy) Virgin of Franklin, Tennessee; grandchildren, Ethan Virgin and Olivia Virgin; his sister, Virginia Cox of Waterford, Michigan; and his brothers, John (Sharon) Virgin of Great Falls, Montana, David (Linda) Virgin of Cape Coral, Florida, and Robert (Nancy) Virgin of Golden, Colorado.
He is also survived by JoAnn’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, including grandchildren Austin, Chase, Brandi, and Jarred Brimer; Christopher Garrett, Lindsey Starks, and Kharissa Guss.
Don will be remembered for his toughness, work ethic, sense of adventure, and love of his family.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 12 pm until time of service at 1 pm, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to BJC Hospice.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
