Virginia McMillion, 86, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2023, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center, DeKalb IL.

Virginia was born at Princeton Hospital, in Princeton, IL on May 15, 1937. She was the daughter of Eleanor and Milton Burkey of Ohio, Illinois. In 1947, she moved to a farm in Franklin Grove, IL and raised purebred Guernsey cattle. She graduated as Valedictorian from Franklin Grove High School in 1955, receiving the DAR award and the Betty Crocker Homemaker award. In high school Virginia played the saxophone and percussion, sang in the state choir, and was a cheerleader. She was also in 4-H and was the first girl to join a Boys' Club in Ogle County so she could show her Guernsey cows, where she received many trophies and the "I Dare You" award.

Virginia attended Passavant School of Nursing in Jacksonville, IL. She was the president of her class, president of the District 9 Student Nurse Association, and served on the Student Nurse State Board. Upon graduation as a Registered Nurse, she worked at Dixon Public Hospital and became an instructor in the KSB School of Nursing. She married her high school sweetheart, Lane McMillion, on January 9, 1960. In 1963 they moved to Amboy, IL where she worked at the Amboy Hospital, later returning to Dixon Hospital as a nursing supervisor. She was a Flamette (fireman's Women Auxiliary of the Amboy Fire Department) and helped start the Flamette organization in Prophetstown. She was also the Civil Defense nurse for Amboy during the cold war.

In 1974 she moved to Sycamore, IL serving as an ER and OR nurse at Sycamore Hospital. While raising her family and working full time, she continued her education at Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from NIU, she became a school nurse for Sycamore School District 427, working mostly at the middle school until her well-earned retirement in 1993.

Living a life of compassion and serving others, Virginia was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed her time at the Sycamore UMC serving in the Mary Circle, United Methodist Women, Staff Parish, Lay Leadership, and as a Stephen Minister. She was also a member of the Sycamore Women's Club, serving as president for four terms. Additionally, Virginia participated in Boy Scouting as a Cub Scout den leader and the Troop 2 committee helping her husband who was a scout leader. She was highly involved in supporting the Sycamore Music Boosters and Sports Boosters for 40 years with her four children and many grandchildren, as well as the Pay It Forward House and Meals on Wheels. Virginia enjoyed sewing, canning, cooking, genealogy, music, decorating for the holidays, gardening and most recently, coloring books and word searches. More than anything, she cherished loving on her family.

She is survived by her children, Rob (Kris) McMillion of Somonauk, Joe (Beth) McMillion of Moline, Jeff (Kari) McMillion of Sycamore, and Lori (Scott) Grant of Sycamore, Grandchildren Samantha (Chad) Georgio, Allison Combs, Patrick (Bridget) McMillion, Christine McMillion, Sarah (Patrick) Wright, Ryan Grant, Lacey McMillion, Logan McMillion, Sean McMillion, and Rachel McMillion. Great Grandchildren Adia Georgio, Ailish McMillion, and Elenora McMillion. Virginia is also survived by her sister, Jackie Buse of Freeport, IL, Sisters-in Law Kirby (Bill) Powell of Yorkville, Beverly McMillion of Franklin Grove, Louanne McMillion of Franklin Grove; Brothers-in-Laws, Henry Rosenberger of Waverly, Il and Lyle Freeze of Leaf River, Il, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 54 years Lane McMillion, brother William Burkey, sister Elizabeth Rosenberger, sister Priscilla Freeze and daughter-in-law Maria McMillion.

The family would like to thank the many exceptional healthcare professionals who have lovingly cared for Virginia, especially Kishwaukee Hospital and the Oak Crest Retirement Center staff of whom she always spoke so highly.

Her visitation will be on Tuesday, June 27th from 9:30am-11:00am at the Butala Funeral Homes and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL.  A service will follow at 11:00am with Rev. Roger Willis officiating.  Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon, IL on Tuesday at 1:30pm.

Memorials can be made to the family for a nursing scholarship that is being established in Virginia's name.