VIRGINIA LEE MANSKER, 94, of Rockwood, Illinois, passed away at 2:21 pm, Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Three Springs Senior Living and Rehabilitation, Chester, Illinois.
She was born at the farmhouse of her grandparents, James Albert and Minnie Moore Johnson on Pleasant Ridge in Rockwood, Illinois on July 9, 1932, the daughter of Richard Smith and Mollie Victoria Moss Johnson.
On September 3, 1949, she was married at Chester, Illinois to Ira Warren “Jack” Mansker; he preceded her in death on January 7, 1999 at their home in Rockwood. They were the parents of seven children, LaCleta Dea, Kirby Lee, Sherry Jean, Randy Warren, Melodie Sue, Gordon Neil and Martha Ellen.
Virginia served as Rockwood postmaster for over thirty years, retiring June 30, 1992. She also served as President of Rockwood Village Board for twenty seven years, retiring in October of 2016. She was a Charter member of Randolph County Genealogical Society, holding offices of president, treasurer, trustee and was editor of the Trails publication for several years.
She was a member of Royal Neighbors of America for over sixty years and was President of the local chapter for many years, worked as a District Deputy selling insurance for Royal Neighbors for ten years and served for four years as Illinois State President, as well as serving on various national committees over the years.
In all her years of service to the Rockwood community, the accomplishment she has been most proud of was taking the lead and working with a group of interested individuals in getting the Rockwood Veterans Memorial erected. It took four years of researching military records of those who served from the Rockwood area to find the 242 names that are engraved on the monument.
Survivors:
2 Sons:
Kirby (Carolyn) Mansker Springfield, IL
Randy Mansker Walden, CO
4 Daughters:
LaCleta Hall Springfield, IL
Sherry Mansker Springfield, IL
Melodie Rushing Rockwood, IL
Martha Yankey Springfield, IL
8 Grandchildren:
Adam Warren Mansker, Amy Claire Mansker, John Cameron Rushing, Kurt Wayne Rushing, Jenny Lee Rushing Krantz, Brent Richard Hall, Brandon Michael Mansker and Carly Dane Mansker
10 Great Grandchildren:
Cameron Neil Rushing, John Keagan Rushing, Madison Joy Hall, Olivia May Hall, Logan Samuel Hall, Garrett Allen Krantz, Kinley Sue Krantz, Liam Ira Rushing, Emerson Laine Mansker and Barrett Jack Mansker
8 Nephews:
Kerry Johnson, Jayne Johnson, Travis Johnson, Jeffrey Harris, Joshua Harris, Kenneth Harris, Steele Harris and Hunter Johnson
4 Nieces:
Lillian Johnson, William Johnson, Emilia Johnson and Stephanie Harris
Many Cousins and Friends
Preceded in Death by: Parents, Husband, 1 Son – Gordon Neil, 2 Sons-in-law – Richard Hall and Charlie Yankey, 1 Sister – Doris Harris, 1 Brother – William L. Johnson, 1 Niece – Kimala Harris and 1 Nephew – Seth Johnson
Funeral Service:
11:00 am, Thursday, August 6, 2026
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Officiating:
Rev. Tom Klausing
Interment:
Ebenezer Cemetery
Rockwood, Illinois
Visitation:
Thursday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Memorials:
Mansker Family (to be divided between Ebenezer and Mansker Cemeteries)