Virginia “Ginny” Mae Strunk

Virginia “Ginny” Mae Strunk, daughter of the late Charlie Delbert and Esther (Pendergraft) Gilley, was born Aug. 30, 1949, in Mountain Grove. She passed away on Feb. 10, 2026, surrounded by her family, at her son’s residence in Norwood. She was 76 years of age. Virginia grew up and attended school in Mountain Grove. She was very athletic in school and was on the track team and cheerleading squad. On March 18, 1967, Virginia was united in marriage to Ova Lee Strunk. Two sons, Ronnie and Donnie, were born to this union. Virginia worked in various places throughout the years, including Brown Shoe Company in Mountain Grove and Mansfield, as a cook in the cafeteria at Hutchens Steel in Mansfield and Wade’s Dry Cleaners in Mountain Grove. In her younger years, Virginia loved to drag race. She also liked hunting, fishing, riding 4-wheelers and going floating. Virginia loved the outdoors and enjoyed nature by watching birds and wildlife from her deck. Virginia, or “Aunt V,” as she was known by many, was a great cook and could cook up some remarkable meals with her electric skillet. She always looked forward to Strunk Sunday’s spending time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed times spent with them at the spring on the family farm. Virginia loved her grandkids and great-grandkids and cherished the times spent with them.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ova Lee Strunk; one son, Ronnie Strunk; one grandson, Dylan Carpenter; and two brothers, Lawrence Gilley and Norman Gilley. She is survived by one son, Donnie Strunk and his wife, Annie Marie, of Norwood; one brother, Delbert Gilley and his wife, Donna, of Mountain Grove; three sisters, Sharlene Reed of Licking; Gerldene Wilson and her husband, Alex, of the state of Kentucky; and Ruby Tompkins, of Mountain Grove; four grandchildren, Sierra Strunk, Raylee Dawn Strunk and Dylan Wilson, Ashley Hicks and her husband, James, and Karley Linton and her husband, Bailey; eight great-grandchildren, Liam Ramage, Riverlynn Ramage, Taitum Rae Wilson, Brinleigh “Brinny Marie” Linton, Kinsleigh “Jo Jo” Linton, Emmy Grace Hicks, Jaxson “Carl” Hicks and Dusty Carpenter; and many other relatives and friends who will miss her very much. Funeral services for Virginia Strunk were held Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 2 p.m., at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mountain Grove, with Jared Moore officiating. Song selections were “Angel,” "The Old Rugged Cross,” “I’ll Go On Loving You,” “Outskirts Of Heaven” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Those serving as pallbearers were Ronnie Sawyers, Derek VanEaton, Ben Moore, Troy Gilley, Justin Blackwell and Jamon Gray. Honorary pallbearers were Shay Cardin, Jamie McGowan, Randy Deaton, Sam Parsons, David Melton, James Hicks, Liam Ramage, Dylan Wilson and Jason Collins. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.