Virgil Hyden
Bethalto |
Virgil Dean Hyden, joined his loving wife in heaven on October 18, 2023, at the age of 91.
Virgil was born on October 28, 1931, in Shakerag, IL, the son of Thomas Edward and Annie (Hampsey) Hyden.
Virgil is a proud veteran of the United States Army, who enlisted in 1949, serving during the Korean war, and was a duck boat driver. He spoke of his travels around the world during his service. He met the love of his life Mary (Wall) Hyden at a soda shop in 1954 when he got out of the army and married her March 12, 1955. They were married for 54 years before Mary’s passing in 2009.
Virgil was employed by Laclede Steel in Alton, Illinois, until he retired in 1986. After retirement, Virgil kept very busy driving for Enterprise, taking grandchildren and great-grandchildren to Florida and working around his house doing yard work/gardening, mowing his own grass up until the last month of his life, because nobody could do it as perfectly as he could. He was probably right. Virgil was an avid reader, loved word finds and reading his Bible. Virgil had a mind like a steel trap, he could remember names, dates and events back to his early childhood! He loved telling stories and he was good at it.
He was the beloved father to, Terry Vetter & husband Mike of Bethalto, Tom Hyden & wife Terry of Bethalto, Scott Hyden & wife Deana of Roxana and the late Jack Hyden of Cottage Hills. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Craig & Haley Hyden of Bethalto, Mary (Vetter) & Bryan Fitzhugh of Incline Village, Nevada, Kimberly (Vetter) & Kelly Bohnenstiehl of Edwardsville, Brandy (Hyden) & Ryan Naggatz of Fort Worth, Texas, Nichole & Nathan Sayler of Buffalo, Missouri , Andy Hyden of Springfield, Missouri, Sabrina Enger, Chelsey, Jacob, Tyler & Olivia Hyden, Dennis Englert & Daniel Englert-Hyden of Bethalto; great-grandchildren, Tristen & Tatum Hyden, Karissa & Kinley Bohnenstiehl, Connor & Caleb Wooden, Brooklyn Naggatz, Madison & Noah Sayler, Isabella Hyden & Quentin Enger. He is also survived by two very beloved sisters Peggy Heath & Connie Lukowski and many, many wonderful friends - especially his morning and afternoon crews at Mcdonald's, his dear friend Kim at Walgreens, his ladies at Schnucks, his loving neighbors and friends far and wide who we appreciate for making his life full and bringing smiles to his face. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Hyden; son, Jack Hyden; grandson, Mikey Vetter; and nine siblings.
A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 3 p.m. until time of service at 5 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Bethalto, with Pastor Josh Crisp as officiant. A private inurnment will take place at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, with military rites performed by Alton VFW Post 1308.
Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Center in St. Louis, MO. and/or First Baptist Church in Bethalto.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
