Virgil L. Holdeman, DVM

Dr. Virgil L. Holdeman, DVM, age 85, of Highland, IL., died Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Highland, IL. He was born June 24, 1923, in Wakarusa, IN., the son of Walter and Florence (nee Barthel) Holdeman. On June 18, 1955, he married Mary L. (nee Nichols) Holdeman, who survives. He was a member of Evangelical United Church of Christ; Lee Iten Post #439, American Legion; VFW Post #5694, both of Highland; American Veterinary Medical Association; Life Member of IL Veterinary Assoc.; American Contract Bridge Assoc.; Highland Rotary Club, Silver Lake Shrine Club (Past President), Highland Masonic Lodge #583 AF & AM, ;Ma Cli Bo Circus Unit; Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Southern IL-Belleville, IL; Ainad Temple, AAONOMS (Shriners), E.St.Louis, IL. Dr. Holdeman was born in Wakarusa, Indiana. At the age of 5 his family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where his parents finished college. He graduated in 1941 from Jackson High School, Jackson, Michigan, and in 1951 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. His college was interrupted by a three year enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Corp. When WWII ended, he was in the Phillipine Islands and had completed 21 missions as a navigator on a B-25 bomber. He then practiced farm animal medicine for 18 years in Hebron, IL. In 1970, he and his family moved to Highland. He was the veterinarian at the National Stockyards, East Saint Louis, IL, for 14 years before retirement. He was an active Shriner in the Ma-Cli-Bo circus unit and spent 42 years racing and breeding Standardbred horses. He was a Bronze Life Master with the America Contract Bridge League. Survivors include Wife-Mary L. (nee Nichols) Holdeman of Highland, Ill., Daughter-Janeen \"Jackie\" (Charles) Hook of Lacey, Wash., Son-David A. (Tammy) Holdeman of Des Arc, Mo., Daughter-Janet L. Holdeman of Wheaton, Ill., Son-Robert C. (Susan) Holdeman of Pocahontas, Ill., Sister-Gladys (Robert) McKenney of Rochester, Mich., Grandchild-William (Judy) Dias, Grandchild-Laura (Tony) Theimer, Grandchild-Jennifer Dias, Grandchild-Tyler Holdeman, Grandchild-Sam Holdeman, Gr-Grandchildren-Eight . He was preceeded in death by Father-Walter Ray Holdeman, Mother-Florence Hester (nee Barthel) Holdeman, Brother-Carl Holdeman, age 6 mo.

Virgil L. Holdeman, DVM

June 24, 1923 - May 13, 2009