Virgilio R. Pilapil, MD, 80 of Springfield, died at 7:46 pm, Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born March 10, 1938 in Talaba, Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines, to Isidoro and Purificacion Pilapil. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elena E. Pilapil.
Also surviving are his children, Catherine P. Whisenand, Dr. Caroline Pilapil Schleissinger, Dr. Virgilio E. Pilapil, Jr. and Raymond E. Pilapil; son-in-law, Dr. Richard Schleissinger; daughter-in-law, Deborah Pilapil; granddaughter, Jessica Edwards, grandson, James Whisenand; granddaughter, Viviana Pilapil and great grandson, Nolan Edwards.
Dr. Pilapil obtained his medical degree at the Far Eastern University in Manila Philippines. He was a practicing Pediatric Cardiologist for 36 years at the Springfield Clinic and in private practice. He worked as a medical consultant at the Illinois Department of Human Services, and as a Clinical Associate Professor at SIU School of Medicine.
Dr. Pilapil served in the US Navy and the Naval Reserve as an officer for 30 years. He attained the rank of Captain, served as a medical and commanding officer in the Medical Corps, and received numerous military awards.
He was also a president or founding father of over 15 medical, military, civic, and historical organizations. He received numerous civic awards and was awarded a Presidential Citation as a Distinguished Filipino in America by the President of the Philippines.
Dr. Pilapil was a prolific writer and historian and was editor of over 11 medical and historical journals and bulletins. He published over 20 medical research articles and published several books of a historical nature.
He was a staunch supporter of education and raised funds and established numerous educational scholarships at various Universities in the Philippines and at the University of Illinois in Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College.
Visitation: 4-7 pm, Friday, January 25, 2019 at Staab Funeral Home- Springfield. A prayer service will be held at 4 pm.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Reverend Michael Friedel officiating.
Graveside Service: 10 am, Monday, January 28, 2019 at Camp Butler National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Virgilio R. and Elena E. Pilapil Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Illinois in Springfield (UIS).
Date: Friday, January 25, 2019
Time: 04:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Staab Funeral Home - Springfield
A prayer service will be held at 4 pm.
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019
Time: 10:30 am
Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception
Date: Monday, January 28, 2019
Time: 10:00 am
Camp Butler National Cemetery
Address:
5063 Camp Butler Road, Springfield, IL, 62707Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Virgilio R. and Elena E. Pilapil Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Illinois in Springfield (UIS).
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Elena E. Pilapil posted on 5/9/19
Virgilio, my beloved husband of almost 60 years, you left me on January 16, 2019. What is left for me are all the unforgettable memories of our togetherness and shared happy moments. You gave me everything that any woman would deserve as well as the moon, as you promised when we were young. Now that you are gone I am presuming you are resting in Heaven. It’s really too much pain to bear, you being gone from my sight, but I don’t have any choice but to accept it. As I had said at the hospital when you were critical “you were given to me by God and I am giving you back to him.” That is the only way I am able to accept you being gone from me forever on this Earth with full acceptance and peace. Now that you are gone, in my grief, I have your children, relatives, friends, and acquaintances to share my happy and fond memories of you. Virgilio, my husband, may God bless you and may you rest in peace, your beloved wife, Elena