Vivian Killinger

MARION, VIRGINIA: VIVIAN MARGARITE PIRES KILLINGER died peacefully at home on Monday, October 4, 2004. Born on October 25, 1904, in Jacksonville, Illinois to John and Ella Pires, she graduated from MacMurray College with a B.S. in Biology and received a Masters of Science Degree in Botany from the University of Illinois. Her master's thesis, "The Diseases of the Pecan Tree", was part of Texas A & M's graduate agricultural program for many years. Mrs. Killinger came to Marion, Virginia to teach at Marion College after completing graduate school. She met Ralph Kelly Killinger in 1928, married in 1930, and celebrated 25 years of marriage until his death in 1956. An accomplished professor and artist, she was active in the American Association of University Women, Marion Book Club, Marion Garden Club, Marion Bridge Club and numerous charitable endeavors. A member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church for 74 years, she was instrumental along with her husband in the building of the current church on West Main Street and was very active in many areas of her church life. "Baboo" was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, auntie and friend whose spirit and joyful memories remain in our hearts. Her family is especially grateful for the dedication and love given to her for many years by her devoted caretakers: Mildred Harris, Jean Talbert, Barbara Call and Beverly Evans. Mrs. Killinger was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ella Pires, her sisters, Elson Pires and Thelma Kiderlen, and her beloved husband, Ralph. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ellen Durham of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Heather Durham and husband Salvador Gonzalez de la Cruz of Madrid, Spain and Colin Durham and wife Amara of Dallas Texas; four great grandchildren, Jackson and Zoe Durham of Dallas, Texas, Luis and Federico Gonzalez Durham of Madrid, Spain; ten nieces and nephews. The Reverend Stephen Schulz will officiate at a graveside service at Rose Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at Seaver Brown Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 222 West Main Street, Marion, Virginia 24354 or MacMurray College, 447 East College Avenue, Jacksonville, Illinois 62650.