Virgil Gene Rhone, age 87 of Baldwin, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at the Baldwin Care Center. Virgil was born on December 8, 1934 in Waterville, Minnesota to Virgil and Alice (Prehn) Rhone. He attended school and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Virgil served in the Marines past the end of the Korean War and spent some time stationed in Beirut. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Trnka on July 18, 1959 in Lonsdale, Minnesota, and the couple was blessed with five children, Patrick, Rene, Jeff, Kevin, and Michelle. As the small family grew, they moved from Lonsdale to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and later to a hobby farm along HWY 12 in Baldwin in 1966. Virgil kept dairy cattle and eventually relocated to another hobby farm north of Baldwin. He was a dedicated family man and enjoyed spending time with his wife and children, and was fond of fishing. Virgil worked as a Heat and Frost Insulator during the time when asbestos was used in the insulating materials applied to pipes and ductwork and as a result was diagnosed with Mesothelioma later in life. He never complained about his health issues or blamed anyone for them. Virgil was a friendly and happy man and is described by others as a genuinely “nice guy” that was a pleasure to be around. He will be missed by many.

Virgil will remain in the hearts of his children, Pat (Chin) Rhone, Rene (Dan) Bowler, Jeff (Hilda) Rhone, Kevin (Diane) Rhone, and Michelle (Rob) Durham; grandchildren, Jason Rhone, Megan Rhone, Courtney Edmister, Kenny Edmister, and Roxi (Isaac) Hodel; great-grandchildren, Ryan Hiller, Kylie and Christopher McOmber, Brayden, Kadence, and Serena Edmister, and Finn Hodel; siblings, June Rhone, Carla (Del) Larson,  Maudene VanBuren, Jay (Germaine), and Patricia (Gene) Hoff; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by wife, Lorraine; his parents, Virgil and Alice Rhone; and siblings; James, Glenn, Neil, Gary and Caroline Burger.

A gathering to celebrate Virgil’s life will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m., followed by a 3:00 p.m. prayer service, on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin. Private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.