Virginia Warchol

Virginia Kathryn Warchol, 68, of Casa Grande, a retired teacher, died on April 1, 2013, at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. April 13 at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel. The celebration of life will follow at 11. A family memorial service will be held later in Missouri.
Ms. Warchol was born on July 29, 1944, in St. Charles, Mo., and was a daughter of Louie B. and Doris Downing. She graduated from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., in 1966 and later received master's and specialist degrees from Central Missouri State University. She taught in Missouri for 10 years before moving to Casa Grande and taking a job at Casa Grande Junior High (now Casa Grande Middle School) in 1977. She later taught at Evergreen Elementary and then retired in 1998 after teaching at Palo Verde Elementary. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Arc organization in 1989. She also was a Realtor and rental property manager and owned various businesses during her lifetime.
Her passions were education and helping others. She was a foster parent for many children over the years. She continued to provide a loving home for Samuel Biggs, and she was devoted and proud of him. She was involved with Special Olympics and served on various boards. She stayed in contact with many former students, providing homes and employment opportunities or simply enjoying seeing them raise their families.
Survivors include five sisters, D. Jean Gomez of Casa Grande, Rebecca L. Ledgerwood of Missouri, Rita D. Shero of Alabama, Nancy E. Fansher and Judith S. Collins of Missouri, and three brothers, Louie Brent Downing of New York, David W. and Daniel L. Downing of Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Seeds of Hope or Casa Grande Food Bank.