Virginia Neel Gravender, 90, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully Monday evening at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born on October 8, 1930 in Galesburg, Illinois to the late Wesley and Virginia (Neel) Briggs. She married her true love and best friend Richard Gravender Sr., on April 7, 1950 in Elkhart. Richard passed away June 30, 2016.

Surviving are her children; two sons, Richard (Deborah) Gravender Jr., Dave (Nancy) Gravender; two daughters, Jane (Carl) Slabaugh and Pamela...

Virginia Neel Gravender, 90, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully Monday evening at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born on October 8, 1930 in Galesburg, Illinois to the late Wesley and Virginia (Neel) Briggs. She married her true love and best friend Richard Gravender Sr., on April 7, 1950 in Elkhart. Richard passed away June 30, 2016.

Surviving are her children; two sons, Richard (Deborah) Gravender Jr., Dave (Nancy) Gravender; two daughters, Jane (Carl) Slabaugh and Pamela (Lynn) Matassarin; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Virginia worked as the secretary and co-owner with her husband in the family business, an air freight and delivery company. She also loved to bowl, knit, crochet, reading and also enjoyed going to sporting and musical events for her family

Due to the ongoing pandemic, a service celebrating Virginia’s life will be held at a later date, when conditions permit.  In following her wishes, cremation was chosen, with placement with her husband at the Memories Mausoleum in Rice Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements and care for Virginia are provided by Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart.