Ginger Weir

Virginia Catherine (Ellison) Weir, of Corvallis, OR, passed away from natural causes on April 19th, 2026. She was born on December 20, 1935, in Eugene, Oregon to Chester P. Ellison and Georgia E. Pulley. Relocating immediately to Corvallis, OR from Eugene, Virginia grew up the last of 3 children to Chester and Georgia. She is preceded in death by two older brothers, Don Ellison (dec. June 2007) and Vernon Ellison (dec. June 2006). She attended Elementary School, Middle School and then Corvallis High School, in Corvallis, OR, graduating in 1954. After high school, Virginia joined the U.S. Air Force and while stationed in San Antonio, met her first husband Richard Smelser of Hazel Park, Michigan. She would continue her time in the Air Force with stops in Cheyenne, WY, Indianapolis, IN and Stuttgart, Germany, where they had their first son, Jeffrey Spencer (San Diego), born in June 1956. After service in the Air Force, Richard and Virginia moved to Corvallis, Oregon. Their 2nd son Jack Smelser (Indianapolis, IN) was born in Corvallis, OR in June 1958. After graduation from Oregon State University, Richard and Virginia moved to Richard’s home state of Michigan, settling in Union Lake. Their twin sons Bruce Smelser (Grantville, GA) and Bill Smelser (Keizer, OR) were born in August 1962. Virginia and Richard were divorced in 1978, as Virginia, Bruce and Bill moved from Union Lake, MI to her hometown of Corvallis, OR. They settled in Corvallis, OR and Bruce and Bill attended and graduated from Corvallis High School. Virginia loved “quilting” and took such love and effort into her quilting, a skill she acquired from her mother Georgia who focused on Afghans. Virginia was able to take 1st place at Benton County Fair in 2005; she has had that quilt proudly hanging in her home since then. Virginia would proceed as a Senior Teller with Citizen’s Bank of Corvallis for many years, then her love of young ladies led her to be a housemother at Delta Delta Delta sorority at Oregon State University for several years. During these years, she met her final husband, Steve Weir of Irvine, CA and Corvallis, OR. They enjoyed their life together, including LOTS of Square Dancing and Round Dancing. Their wedding in June, of 1991, at the Corvallis, OR Elks Lodge, also included reception and square/round dancing. Virginia is preceded in death by her husband Steve Weir (dec. April 2014), Mother (Georgia E Pulley Ellison, dec. February 1988) and her father, (Chester P. Ellison, dec September 1981) and her two older brothers, Don Ellison (dec. June 2007) and Vernon Ellison (dec. June 2006). She is survived by her 4 sons, Jeffrey, Jack, Bruce and Bill as well as 2 stepdaughters Debbie Buccola (Seattle, WA) and Laurie Larrabee (Corvallis, OR). She also was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Virginia will be resting eternally at the top of Mary’s Peak outside of Corvallis, OR as per her lifetime wish, Ashes will be spread approximately May 2, 2026. She wanted to thank each person she came across in her lifetime that made her life such an enjoyable experience. She chooses not to have any kind of memorial service and anyone who wishes to donate in some way, she wishes you choose any Veteran’s Organization or Women’s Organization which satisfies you in some way.

Ginger Weir

December 20, 1935 - April 19, 2026