Viola Vanmeter
November 26, 1909 — April 5, 2010
Viola (Walls) VanMeter departed this life and went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, April 5, 2010, at 2:20 p.m., in whom she had placed her faith. She had resided in the Court House Manor Nursing Home for the past year and three months. She turned 100 years old on Thanksgiving Day, 2009 and celebrated with family members.
Viola was the youngest of seven children born, on November 26, 1909, to Francis Marion and Amanda (McBee) Walls at their farm near Idaho, Ohio, in Pike County. She grew up on the farm where they grew most of their own food. She attended school not far away. She learned early to cook and can food and participate in the hard work on a farm. The family attended Mt. Holy Church of Christ in Christian Union.
When Viola married Edward Christopher VanMeter, she left home and resided in Pike County for a while, where two sons were born: Frelan O. (Louise) and E. Wayne (Patty) VanMeter. The later moved to Washington C.H., where the sons went to school and graduated before serving in the Army.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Bessie West, Wilda Ford, and Miriam Leath; brothers, Arzie Walls, Herbert Walls, and an infant sibling.
Viola is survived by the sons, of Washington C.H., four granddaughters, Karen Lynn (Tim) Mitchell of Dublin, Ohio, Robin Jane (Walt) Meinert of Washington C.H., Cinda Ann (Charles) Burks of Circleville and Jincie Beth (Mike) Dennis also of Circleville. She is survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Jessica (Patrick) Donaldson of Alexandria, Virginia, Charles W. (Krysten) Burks, II, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Sara and Jason Dennis of South Bloomfield, Ohio, Zachary Meinert, of Cincinnati, Eric Mitchell of Dublin, Matthew Dennis of Bourbonnais, Illinois, Megan Meinert of Columbus, Kristen Mitchell of Dublin, Conner Burks of Washington D.C. and Alexandra “Alex” Burks of Circleville. She is survived by three great grandchildren, Amelia Ann Burks, Eli Jacob Dennis and Bryce Owen Donaldson, and two step great grandchildren, Jeremy and Amelia Donaldson of Australia. Many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great nieces survive, with special niece, Leona (Walter) Stratton, who has been like a daughter to her, and great nieces, Teresa (Gary) Kinzer and Kristal (Rob) Humphries, as well as beloved niece, Flossie Brown and her three sons, Rick Leeth, Rex Leeth and Ronnie Brown and their families. Many extended relatives reside in Pike County.
Viola has stated she would like to be remembered as a Mother who would “do anything for her family.” In addition, she loved to cook and fix her family noodles, roasts, butterscotch pies, and other goodies.
She attended Heritage Memorial Church of Christ in Christian Union, until she had to be a shut-in, but Church friends often brought her enjoyment with calls, cards, visits and gifts. Some neighbors are long-remembered for their kindnesses.
Funeral services for Mrs. VanMeter will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Wellman-Kinzer Funeral Home with burial to follow in Washington Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-8 and again on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Viola was the youngest of seven children born, on November 26, 1909, to Francis Marion and Amanda (McBee) Walls at their farm near Idaho, Ohio, in Pike County. She grew up on the farm where they grew most of their own food. She attended school not far away. She learned early to cook and can food and participate in the hard work on a farm. The family attended Mt. Holy Church of Christ in Christian Union.
When Viola married Edward Christopher VanMeter, she left home and resided in Pike County for a while, where two sons were born: Frelan O. (Louise) and E. Wayne (Patty) VanMeter. The later moved to Washington C.H., where the sons went to school and graduated before serving in the Army.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Bessie West, Wilda Ford, and Miriam Leath; brothers, Arzie Walls, Herbert Walls, and an infant sibling.
Viola is survived by the sons, of Washington C.H., four granddaughters, Karen Lynn (Tim) Mitchell of Dublin, Ohio, Robin Jane (Walt) Meinert of Washington C.H., Cinda Ann (Charles) Burks of Circleville and Jincie Beth (Mike) Dennis also of Circleville. She is survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Jessica (Patrick) Donaldson of Alexandria, Virginia, Charles W. (Krysten) Burks, II, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Sara and Jason Dennis of South Bloomfield, Ohio, Zachary Meinert, of Cincinnati, Eric Mitchell of Dublin, Matthew Dennis of Bourbonnais, Illinois, Megan Meinert of Columbus, Kristen Mitchell of Dublin, Conner Burks of Washington D.C. and Alexandra “Alex” Burks of Circleville. She is survived by three great grandchildren, Amelia Ann Burks, Eli Jacob Dennis and Bryce Owen Donaldson, and two step great grandchildren, Jeremy and Amelia Donaldson of Australia. Many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great nieces survive, with special niece, Leona (Walter) Stratton, who has been like a daughter to her, and great nieces, Teresa (Gary) Kinzer and Kristal (Rob) Humphries, as well as beloved niece, Flossie Brown and her three sons, Rick Leeth, Rex Leeth and Ronnie Brown and their families. Many extended relatives reside in Pike County.
Viola has stated she would like to be remembered as a Mother who would “do anything for her family.” In addition, she loved to cook and fix her family noodles, roasts, butterscotch pies, and other goodies.
She attended Heritage Memorial Church of Christ in Christian Union, until she had to be a shut-in, but Church friends often brought her enjoyment with calls, cards, visits and gifts. Some neighbors are long-remembered for their kindnesses.
Funeral services for Mrs. VanMeter will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Wellman-Kinzer Funeral Home with burial to follow in Washington Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-8 and again on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
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