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Obituary: Theodore B. Virkler Jr., 85, Croghan
Published: March 10, 2025
By: Provided by Iseneker
Funeral Home
Theodore B. “Ted”
Virkler Jr.
 CROGHAN- Theodore B. “Ted”
Virkler Jr., 85, longtime resident of Kirschnerville Road, passed away
peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving wife and family on Monday,
March 10, 2025.
He is survived by
his beloved wife of 57 years, Mathilda Mae; four children, Timothy B.
Virkler of Castorland, Noel E. (Kendra) Virkler of Croghan, Paul D. (Marcy)
Virkler of Croghan, and Renata M. (John L.) Dawson V of Trumansburg, NY;
four grandchildren, John L. Dawson VI of Trumansburg, Easton L. Dawson of
Trumansburg, Nathan P. Virkler of Croghan, and Isaiah N. Virkler of
Croghan; three sisters, Arlene “Nin” Grau of Croghan, Regina “Jeanie”
Herzig of Castorland, Norma (Melvin T.) Zehr of Lowville; two brothers,
Nathaniel J. (Sheila) Virkler of Lowville, and Kendall (Marlene) Virkler of
Lowville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by a daughter-in-law,
Emily B. Virkler and a sister, Rita Belle
Petzoldt.
Ted was born at
Idle-Ease in Croghan, Town of New Bremen, on June 9, 1939, the oldest son
of the late Theodore B. Sr. and Amelia Belle Farney Virkler. He attended country
school at New Bremen District #3 through the fourth grade before
transferring to Beaver River Central School, graduating in 1957. Ted worked on the family farm until his
enlistment in the United States Army on February 23, 1958. He was sent to Fort Hood, Texas with the
2nd Armored Division, named “Hell on Wheels”, for basic and
advanced basic training. In
September of 1958, he was stationed in Germany, remaining there for 17
months and joining the 3rd Armored Division named
“Spearhead”. These were armor
infantry outfits with tank back-up. While
in Germany with the United States Army, he enjoyed two three-day trips to Paris
and Switzerland arranged through American-Express tours. After his tour in Germany and eight days
on the Atlantic Ocean, he arrived in Brooklyn, NY and spent three years in
the reserves at Fort Drum before his honorable discharge.
On October 8,
1967, Ted married the love of his life, Mathilda Mae Graves, a daughter of
Floyd C. and Loretta H. Farney Graves, at the Croghan-Naumburg Apostolic
Christian Church in Croghan with John J. Widrick officiating. This day was the same day his mother and
father were married 36 years before.
The couple settled in Lowville for a short time before purchasing
property from his in-laws and building a home near the Graves farm, moving
in on February 23, 1969. Ted worked
at AMF for 40 years retiring on October 30th,
2004.
Ted was a
long-time member of the Croghan-Naumburg Apostolic Church of America in
Croghan, having been baptized on January 30, 1963. He taught Sunday School and was the
church treasurer for many years.
He enjoyed
people, children, spending time with his family and grandsons, collecting
coins and matchbooks, cutting wood, gardening, bird watching, collecting
scale model tractor trailer trucks, watching trains, reading, and
singing. In his younger years Ted
was an avid hunter, having killed 250 woodchucks in 1964.
The funeral will
be held on Saturday March 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
at the Croghan-Naumburg Apostolic Christian Church of America, Croghan,
with ministers from the church officiating.
Calling hours will be on Friday March 14, 2025
from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Iseneker Funeral
Home, 5702 Waters Road, Lowville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A luncheon will
follow the burial at the church fellowship hall, all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made to the Croghan-Naumburg Apostolic Christian Church of America Memorial
Fund at PO Box 28, Beaver Falls, NY 13305.
Condolences may
be made to Ted’s family online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.
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