Virginia "Ginger" F. Pilliard, age 81, of Montgomery City, Missouri, formerly of Middletown, Missouri, died on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at her home surrounded by family.

Ginger was born on August 9, 1943, in Vandalia, Missouri, at the home of her parents, William McKinley and Della Maude (Little) Libby. Ginger was a 1961 graduate of Van-Far High School in Vandalia, Missouri. She was wed to Duane Marcus Pilliard on September 28, 1963, at the Curryville Baptist Church. They were wed for over 50 years before he preceded her in death on June 26, 2013.

To this union, Ginger and Duane were blessed with three daughters: Cathy (Chris) Lowe of Springfield, Missouri, Sharon (Jay) Englehart of Montgomery City, Missouri, and Gina Pilliard-Oberhaus (Greg Roth of Creve Couer, Missouri) of Montgomery City, Missouri; five grandchildren: Brandon (Cheyenne) Whetstine of Montgomery City, Missouri, Cassidy Lowe (Danny Kempton) of Springfield, Missouri, Lauren (David) Reagan of High Hill, Missouri, Brock Whetstine of Truxton, Missouri, and Brayden Oberhaus (Ysabelle Drage) of Springfield, Missouri; one step-granddaughter, Kylie (Matt) Waite of Montgomery City, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren: Kennedy, Everly, and Greyson Reagan of High Hill, Missouri, Paisley and Bonham Benton of Springfield, Missouri, and River and Rory Whetstine of Montgomery City, Missouri; two step-great-grandsons, Kaiden and Gavin Waite of Montgomery City, Missouri.

Ginger and Duane lived and farmed together in Middletown most of their married life until moving to Montgomery City in 2008.

Ginger was a member of the Middletown Baptist Church, but for the past 13 years had attended the Reach Community Church in Montgomery City. Ginger enjoyed being with her family, making her grandchildren their favorite foods, going places with her sisters, Pat Pritchett and Wanda Utterback, both of Centralia, Missouri, going out to eat with her best friend, Sandy Willis of Middletown, and spending time with her high school friends: Mary Jane Teague of Belleville, Illinois, Betty Hassien and Mary Kate Burns of Hannibal, Missouri, Connie Morgan of Beaumont, Texas, Mary Orr of Vandalia, Missouri, and Karol Kristofferson of Mexico, Missouri; who called themselves 'The Magnificent Seven.' Ginger also enjoyed music and watching St. Louis Cardinal ballgames.

In her younger days, she worked at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mexico, Missouri, and Women's Eastern Reception and Diagnostic Center in Vandalia, Missouri. She was a hard worker and liked to keep busy.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Dorothy Emo, one brother, Mack Libby, and her husband, Duane.

She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother, Harold (Martha) Libby of Vandalia, Missouri, two sisters, Pat Pritchett and Wanda (Bob) Utterback of Centralia, Missouri, brother-in-law, Dennis (Marge) Pilliard of Curryville, Missouri, sister-in-law, Joyce Pilliard of Middletown, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, Missouri, with Pastor Chris Meyer officiating.

Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

A Private family inurnment will follow at the Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown, Missouri.

The family suggests any memorial contributions be made to Reach Community Church, or to Compassus Hospice, or to the Montgomery City Public Library, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, Missouri 63361