Editing Virgil Exner (section)

==Early life==
Born in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], Virgil Exner was adopted by George W. and Iva Exner as a baby. Virgil showed a strong interest in [[art]] and automobiles. He went to [[Buchanan High School (Michigan)|Buchanan High School]] in [[Buchanan, Michigan]] then studied art at the [[University of Notre Dame]] in [[Indiana]] but, in 1928, dropped out after two years due to lack of funds. He then took a job as a helper at an art studio specializing in advertising. In 1931 he married Mildred Marie Eshleman, who also worked for the studio and, on April 17, 1933, they had their first child, Virgil Exner Jr. By that time, Exner Sr. had been promoted to drawing advertisements for [[Studebaker]] trucks. They had a second son in 1940, Brian, who died of injuries after falling from a window. They had their first daughter June 28, 1943, Bronwen Marie Exner. Exner also adopted and raised his niece, Marie Exner, born in 1947, who had become an orphan after her mother Lenor (Milred's sister) died when Marie was a young child.