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- "DEATH OF FORMER MARION COUNTIAN
"Mrs. Virginia McLeod Imbler of Kirksville died at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 1966, in a Kirksville hospital where she had been a patient since October 10, 1963.
"She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs J. B. McLeod and the family lived north of Palmyra, in the Fabius community until the death of Mr. Mcleod in 1907. Mrs McLeod and her family moved to Kirksville, where Virginia entered the Kirksville Business College and after completing the course,was employed in the Grand Leader and in Van Spike and Howells Ready to Wear stores.
"She was married to George Imbler, a well-known house painter and decorator, in 1924. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kirksville and for several years served as superintendent of the primary department of the Sunday school.
"On May 27, 1918 she was initiated into the Kirksville Chapter No. 184, Order of Eastern Star, in which she held various offices, including Worthy Matron in 1924, and served as secretary from January 1925 until October 1937. She was a member of the White Shrine and was Past High Priestess of that organization. She was also a member of the Nebulae, a branch organization of the Eastern Star of Kirksville.
"Mrs Imbler was preceded in death by her husband, her mother, three brothers, four sisters, a half-brother and a half-sister.
"She is survived by one sister, Miss Mabel McLeod of Kirksville, and by her husband's brother, Ray White, who lived in the home, and several nieces and nephews in the Palmyra and Qunicy vicinities.
"The funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Kirksville, Thursday afternoon, January 6, with the Rev. Ralph Smith in charge of the services. Interment was in the Maple Hills Cemetery."
--- Palmyra Spectator
Virginia's Name
She was most often called "Virginia" and was always known to me as "Aunt Virginia." However, I have heard her sister, Grace, address her as "Valley." Unfortunately her name was transcribed as "Allie" in the obituary of her father and in the History of Marion County. This error has been perpetuated in Mormon data. Her nephew, Aubrey Taylor, told me that she was named "Valley Virginia" after the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Her father, a native of the Shenandoah Valley, was always homesick for his roots; hence the unusual name.--LKTL
Memories of Virginia McLeod Imbler
My earliest memories of Virginia are inextricably entwined with her sister, Mabel, who also lived in Kirksville, Mo. The pair seemed quite formidable to a pre-schooler. They were plumpish and always dressed in dark colors, and old fashioned dresses. One or both wore pince-nez glasses which were fascinating. By the time I was able to know her as a more mature person, she had suffered a very severe hearing loss and had had cataract surgery which resulted in very thick lensed glasses--no more pince-nez!
Before her marriage, I believe that Virginia worked in the Singer Sewing machine store in Kirksville. She had the Eastlake chairs that belonged to her mother and which she willed to her nephew, Aubrey.
Aunt Virginia married rather late in life to George Imbler. At the time I knew her she lived in a spacious house on Illinois Street in Kirksville which had been her mother's home. She and George provided a home for George's bachelor brother, Ray who continued to live with Virginia after George's death. Did Ray always live with Virginia and George? Were there problems with the inclusion of a third party in the household? In later years, Ray's presence was invaluable. Virginia did not drive, and George suffered a debilitating stroke. Ray could drive them where ever needed, run errands, and help with the upkeep of the house with its large front yard.
Virginia was quite conservative. I can remember her views that a married woman should never work outside the home. She was an excellent cook. Her table was always groaning with food, and her dinner rolls were feather-light and delicious.
For several months before her death, she was in a nursing home and was not aware of anything. Her poor hearing and eyesight must have combined to shut out nearly everything. She may also have suffered from stroke.
Imbler -- Macleod -- From the Palmyra Spectator or the Kirksville paper. -- I suspect the former -- LKL
"A pretty home wedding, which does not come as a surprise to the friends of the contracting parties took place at the home of Mrs. J.B. McLeod at 111 East Illinois st., Kirksville, Mol, Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. when her daughter Virginia was united in marriage to George W. Imbler.
"Preceeding the ceremony R.L. McLeod, a brother of the bride, sang 'Oh Promise Me.' Immediately following this the bridal party entered the room to the strains of Lohengrin wedding march rendered by Miss Kathryn Taylor, of Palmyra, a niece of the bride. While Annie Laurie was being softly and sweetly played, Rev. C.F. Acree performed the ring ceremony.
"Miss Nabel McLeod, a sister of the bride, and Miss Dora Cummins, a close friend were the attendants, the guests beign the immediate families of the bride and groom and a few friends.
"Both the bride and groom are well known in Kirksville. Mrs. Imbler has just closed the past year as Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star lodge, and the preceding year as Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine.
"Mr. Imbler is now serving his second year as Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star and is a prominent worker in both the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges. These facts attest the popularity of the couple,
"Mr. and Mrs. Imbler left for a brief trip. Upon their return they will be at home to their friends at 810 East Illinois Street after April 15. Their friends wish them much happiness and prosperity.
"Mrs Imbler was a former resident of Marion County, being the daughter of the late J.B. McLeod."
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Taylor Family Genealogy
1879 - 1966 (86 years)