Jeffrey Eugene Virgne, “Coach” 75, of Dexter, passed away November 20, 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Jeff was born on June 3, 1943, in Rushville, Indiana to Dovey E. and Anna Virgne. Jeff served in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam Era from 1964 to 1970 as a Chief Warrant Office (CW2) seeing action as a helicopter pilot during the Tet Offensive. For his meritorious service, he received the Silver Star, the armed forces third-highest personal decoration for valor in combat. Upon his discharge from the Army, he moved to Michigan in 1970. He refereed and coached wrestling first in Michigan Center, then at Wylie Middle School and for both the Junior Varsity and Varsity Wrestling teams at Dexter High School. In addition to his work with the “Dreadnaughts” Coach Virgne also was deeply involved with the Dexter Wrestling Club for many years. Jeff was an insurance agent with Western & Southern before moving to Farm Bureau Insurance Company from his office on Broad Street in Dexter.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Jean (nee: Stephenson) whom he married on August 16, 1991. His children include Melissa (John) Quayle, Caroline (John) Dinser, Jennifer (Sam) Kline, Lyn (Michael) Frasson, and Jill (Steve) Atwell. Along with all things wrestling, Jeff’s seven grandchildren were his great joy. They are Alyssa and Samantha Kline, Michael Weindorf, Kayla Rivers, Lexis Frasson, Connor and Chelsea Atwell. Jeff’s only sibling, Rick (Maria) Virgne, former-wife Carol Virgne, and stepmother, Virginia “Ginny” Virgne also survive. In addition to his father Dovey and mother Anna, Jeff was predeceased by a half-brother, Kevin Edward Virgne.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service, 7:00 p.m. at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 3410 Broad Street (at Fourth Street), Dexter Michigan 48130. Military Honors will be under the auspices of the Veterans Honor Guard of Washtenaw County. In lieu of flowers, donations in Coach Virgne’s name may be made to the Dexter Wrestling Club c/o Andy Dettling 4757 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Dexter, MI 48130.
Please share a memory of “Coach” with his family at his online guestbook.
