Dr. Virginia Lowell Grabill

Dr. Virginia Lowell Grabill is best remembered for her thirty-two year teaching career at the University of Evansville. At some point she taught Grammar and Linguistics, History of the English Language and Advanced Composition. She oversaw the production of the yearbook and newspaper, served as University Ombudsman, Dean of Women, Chairman of the University Senate and started and directed the Creative Writing Program. She wrote so many comments on student papers that they remarked that their papers bled.

Dr. Virginia, as she was fondly known, was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1919, in Hastings, Minnesota, the daughter of Charles Stanley and Dora Lowell. She graduated Valedictorian of her high school class and Summa Cum Laude from Wheaton College where she took Latin with Ruth Bell Graham. She previously taught at the University of Illinois, Western Illinois University, Taylor University and Bethel College. Many of her students know Jesus because she crossed their paths. She married Dr. Paul Grabill, another University of Evansville English Department favorite, who preceded her in death in 1980.

Surviving are her daughter, Cindy, of Evansville; four sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; and three grand-cats.

Services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, September 3, 2011, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 2300 Washington Avenue, officiated by Pastor Don Gray and Rev. Allen Amstutz, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, and Saturday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paul and Virginia Grabill Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Evansville or to a favorite charity.