Virgil Glen Finley, 71, passed into Eternal Life on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 surrounded by family at his home following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Virgil was born March 18, 1938 to John and Dorris (Engstrom) Finley in Leroy, Minn. He earned his GED from high school and worked as an auto mechanic for various businesses in Austin including Callahan Sales and Service before moving to Plainview in 1983. He was the Parts and Service Manager at Plainview Ford until retiring in 1989.

Virgil had a zest for life and to lived it to it’s fullest. He enjoyed stock car racing in various local circuits and loved Nascar. He had a passion for his family and for spending time down at his summer home in Wabasha with his daughter and her family. He adored his grandson and nothing would stop him from attending his football and basketball games, where he cheered loudly and encouraged all of the kids.

He is survived by his wife, Marian (Andresen) Finley of Plainview; his daughter Traci (Jeff) Barnes; his beloved grandson Mike Barnes of Elgin; his children by marriage, including Kathy (Randy) Hagan of San Diego, Calif., Wayne (Brenda) Nelson of Austin, Gary (Shelly) Nelson of Austin; and his children from his marriage to Violet Kirchgatter, including Deb (Dan) Olson of Rochester, Sandra Crumbley of Tampa, Fla., Becky (Jeff) Krengel of Eden Prairie, Doug Finley of Mapleview, Don (Jenny) Finley of Brownsdale. Survivors also include his granddaughter Carrie (Jon) Ness of Columbia Heights; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers and five sisters.

He was preceded into eternal life by his parents, a brother, and a sister.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plainview on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, and one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Plainview.