Virginia “Ginny” L. Emerick

Our most precious person, our Virginia Emerick, is now rejoicing in heaven with her beloved husband and son. Virginia, or “Ginny”, as she was known to friends and family, passed away on Tuesday, October 6th at Franciscan hospital in Lafayette, IN.

Virginia was born July 4, 1938, in Hillsboro, IN to the late Dewey and Mary (DeVoss) Eubank. She was born as the fifth child and last daughter. Her 3 older sisters always said she was the reason they missed out on seeing fireworks – yet later revealed they were somewhat scared of fireworks.

She graduated in a class of 11 from Hillsboro high school in 1956. Having met her future husband at a county-wide band contest when she was 11, she would marry that man, Jim Emerick, on September 2, 1956. Sadly, her dad, Dewey, passed two years earlier, so it was her Uncle Curtis who would give her away on their special day.

Jim and Ginny moved to Lafayette where she went to work at Purdue in the secretary pool while Jim was a student. She could always remember the nervousness of arriving in the AG ECON department and working for four Professors as this smalltown girl. After a couple years at Purdue, Jim joined the Army. That took them to Ft Bragg in NC where they learned that they were expecting their first child. A boy, Timothy, was born in 1960.

After a couple years in the Army, they settled in West Point, IN, in 1963. Buying a home and fixing it up, telling the story of having enough money to install a “inside” toilet, or stove. With being pregnant for Kristine, the decision was clear, it would be easier to stoke a stove then go outside in winter to use the outhouse! A new toilet it was!

Virginia began attending West Point United Methodist church soon thereafter and was a lifelong servant of the Lord. She quickly made friends in the community.

David, their third child, came along in 1969. Once David started school, she started working outside the home as a reading tutor at West Point school. She also re-connected with one of those four Professors at Purdue, Robert Suter, and helped type books he was writing.

Faith, family and friends were the most important to her. Never formally trained as a teacher, yet a natural teacher, she loved helping kids, whether her own, or the ones she taught at Sunday school or Bible school at WPUMC. She loved teaching and sharing the Good News of Christ!! She made learning fun and would treat the kids to orange juice and snacks just for coming. Many times the table was full on those Sunday mornings. She would host Christmas parties at her home with pizza, and afterwards the kids would go caroling in West Point. So many of these now adults say that she was their favorite teacher. How much they loved her for showing them love.

After Tim, Kris and David went to Purdue, they started their lives, new marriages and babies arrived. Tim and Kim welcomed Earl and Sarah, David and Gail welcomed Garrett and Kenzie, and Kris welcomed Carter.

These five grandchildren received the most special blessing as they were taken care of by Mamaw before they started school. Each one having “their” own spot on her lap when
they arrived each morning. Trips to the library and the dollar store was always a favorite, as each was given a specific amount they could have. She was the Mamaw that loved by spoiling, yet instilling being respectful, working by giving it your best, and treating others the way you would like to be treated. All of this taught with a lot of humor and hugs along the way!

As the grands married and started their own families, being a “great-Mamaw” was her greatest joy! Evan, Calvin, Warner, Jackson, Ellison and Marlow and soon-to-be great grand #7 were what she looked forward to seeing. Family being her anchor, her heart, soul and devotion.

Virginia had many interests, but was known for her love of flowers, plants and gardens. At one point the house could have been a jungle from all the plants. She definitely had a “green thumb”. She enjoyed trips to Michigan, mainly Mackinac Island, riding the buggies of Silver Lake dunes, and eating the famous cherry pie at The Cherry Hut in Beulah. She also enjoyed mushrooming in the spring at her sister and brother-in-law’s woods. It was always obvious when she found a mushroom as you could hear her squeal in delight! She also loved supporting her Boilermakers and would enjoy watching games and cheering them on! BoilerUp!!

Virginia was once nominated for the YWCA Woman of the Year for Tippecanoe County. She was Secretary/Treasurer of the West Point Cemetery Association for 20 years. She held several positions of leadership at church including Director of the annual Smorgasbord for 20+ years. She was also instrumental in continuing funeral dinners for church and community members, a true passion she cherished.

She was a member of the West Point United Methodist church, West Point Women of Faith, and Tippecanoe County Home Ec.

Virginia, Ginny, Mom, Mamaw, Aunt Ginny was an extraordinary caring, loving person. One that made everyone who knew her feel cherished. Her warm smile and great hug made you feel welcomed and loved. Her lessons were simple, care deeply for each other, do the right thing, and always be faithful to God, and it’s okay to laugh a lot through it all! Rest in peace now, you have earned your place in Heaven with Jesus, good and faithful servant.

Preceded in death, husband Jim, and son Tim.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristine Emerick, West Point, IN, son, David Emerick, wife Gail, Crawfordsville, IN, and daughter-in-law, Kim Emerick, Lafayette, IN. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Earl Emerick (Nicole), Lafayette, IN, Garrett Emerick (Elizabeth), Noblesville, IN, Sarah Merriman (Eli), Lafayette, IN, Kenzie Pigg (Billy), Brazil, IN and Carter Norsworthy, West Point, IN; 7 great-grandchildren, Evan & Calvin Emerick, Lafayette, IN, Warner & “future sibling” Pigg, Brazil, IN, Jackson, and Ellison & Marlow Merriman, Lafayette, IN.

Memorial contributions in Virginia’s name may be given to the West Point United Methodist Church or to the West Point Fire Department.

Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Monday, October 12, 2026, at West Point United Methodist Church, 4923 Monroe St, West Point, IN 47992 with Pastor Mary Barnett and Pastor Jeff Mayfield officiating.

Interment will follow at West Point Cemetery.