Virginia Gamertsfelder
THE PLAINS- Virginia Cottingham Gamertsfelder, age 94 of The Plains, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 10, 2026, at her home on Signal Hill. She was known to her friends and family as Virginia, Ginny, or Mrs. G.
Born February 25, 1931, in Athens, she was the daughter of the late Edward Alven Cottingham and Margaret Kilgore Cottingham.
She was a 1949 graduate of Athens High School, a 1950 graduate of Walnut Hill Prep School in Natick, MA, and a 1954 graduate of Western College for Women in Oxford, OH. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics. She attended Ohio University to complete her teaching certificate requirements and taught Kindergarten in Nelsonville from 1957–1958. She enjoyed teaching swimming lessons at Crystal Pool, riding her horse Jane, and playing field hockey in college. Most of all, she enjoyed being a mother.
Virginia married her high school sweetheart, Don B. Gamertsfelder, in 1955, at the Athens First Presbyterian Church. She was also later a member of First United Methodist Church, Athens. They lived in Long Beach, CA, while Don was serving in the U.S. Navy. They returned to Athens and lived at their home place on Signal Hill ever since. After her father, E.A. Cottingham, passed, she worked with her husband at the Ohio Mining Company (family-owned, established in 1917), serving as treasurer.
Virginia was involved with P.E.O., an international educational organization founded in 1869. The Philanthropic Educational Organization helps women pursue their educational goals through scholarships, grants, loans, and supporting Cottey College (a 2-year women’s college). She was initiated into her mother’s P.E.O. Chapter G, in 1954. Later, she helped organize a new chapter of P.E.O. Chapter DD, which was formed on March 28, 1960, in Athens. She was a charter member of Chapter DD.
She was also 1 of 8 women, led by Mrs. Claire Ping, who established The Athens Foundation in November 1980 (now named the Athens County Foundation). The Foundation’s goal was to be the first tax-exempt public philanthropy in the Athens Community.
Virginia is survived by her two children, Edward Cottingham “Chip” Gamertsfelder, 66, a retired photojournalist who resided in Dayton the majority of his newspaper career, where he was chief photographer and photo editor at the Kettering-Oakwood Times; and April Kilgore Gamertsfelder, 58, the Escalation and Dealer Warranty Coordinator at Rocky Brands for over eleven years.
Also survived by nieces and nephews, Merry (David) Coleman, Wendy (the late Bayard) Livingston, Robin (the late Jerry) Uhr, the late John (and Molly) Gamertsfelder, Keith (Celia) Bott, Jeff (Ginny) Bott and Debbie Huebner; several great nieces and great nephews; cousins, Richard (Shelia) Cottingham, Craig Cottingham (Connie), and Kay (Paul) McCormick.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don B. Gamertsfelder (passed away March 8, 2015); her sister and brother-in-law, Martha & Joseph Bott; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. Walter S. Gamertsfelder (13th President of Ohio University) and Pearl Gamertsfelder; and cousins, Arthur Tressel and Betty Herrick.
Funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home. 24 Morris Ave., Athens with Rev. Tad Grover, Jr. officiating, assisted by Rev. Xema Whitley. Burial will be in West Union Street Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call 5–7 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to: P.E.O. Chapter DD, (for local scholarships) c/o 14605 Kincaid Rd. Athens, OH 45701, checks payable to P.E.O. Sisterhood, DD; or the Athens County Foundation, attention: Eleni Zulia, P.O. Box 366, Athens, OH 45701.
Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jared Sheets and his nurse Toni, and Dr. Mary Jo Kendrick for Virginia’s care. Also for their kind care at Virginia’s passing, thank you to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, Athens County EMS, the Athens County Coroner’s Office and Tim & Nick of Jagers & Sons Funeral Home.
