PAYNES POINT – Viola Amber Myers, 97, longtime Oregon resident, passed Thursday, April 2, 2015, in her home, as she wished, after a brief illness, under the loving care of her daughter, Judy, and granddaughter, Elisa.
She was born March 11, 1918, in rural Mount Morris, the daughter of Clyde G. and Amber L. (Tholen) Koontz. She graduated in 1936 from Oregon High School. The class continued to have reunions until about 2 years ago. We believe she was one of the two surviving members. She briefly attended Cornell College in Iowa, but returned to marry the man she left behind.
She married Eugene L. Myers on Oct. 10, 1937. Three children were born to them, Phyllis, Judy and Gary. After marriage they lived in Oregon, and in 1951 moved to a farm at Paynes Point. Like most women of her generation, she was a stay-at-home mother and wife.
In later years, she was responsible for the delicious Friday and Saturday night suppers at the VFW Club. Viola was an avid reader (as witnessed by her overflowing book shelves). She was always ready to learn something new and, over the years, took many classes ranging from ceramics and quilting to handwriting analysis.
She did travel some, but was always glad to get back to Paynes Point. Viola enjoyed nature, flowers and the world around her in general. She was thrifty (her husband said she could get two more sandwiches out of an empty peanut butter jar), but also very generous in time and support. Over the years, she donated to many environmental, animal, military, and American Indian groups. She was recycling long before it became the thing to do.
She enjoyed painting, sewing and handiwork projects, her cats (she was kidded about being the "Cat Lady" of Paynes Point), genealogy, gardening, to name a few, but most of all, she enjoyed her expanded family, family dinners and hearing the accomplishments and news of the family. She lived by the Golden Rule and was very strong in her beliefs and opinions.
She was a life member and held several offices of the VFW Auxiliary, was active in the Genealogy Society, Ogle County Historical Museum where she was a docent, Whale Watchers, Eagles Nest Art Group, 4-H, Lighthouse Extension, and was a Girl Scout leader.
Survivors include her children, Phyllis (Javiar) Vertiz, Judy Ehnen, and Gary (Judy) Myers; grandchildren, Bob, Elisa, Patti, Christie, Steve, and Todd; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Carson, Jordan, Elysia, McKenna, Emma, Madeline, Grace, Dylan, Sophie, Mallorie, Maggie, Zach, Ben, Abigail, and Noah.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, in 1984; brother, Charles; a brother in infancy; and son-in-law, Raymond Ehnen.
Viola was a member of the Oregon Church of God, but funeral services will be held at the East Oregon Chapel Church of God, where the land for the church was donated by Viola and Gene.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, and the funeral at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Grand Detour Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be distributed to Blackhawk Restoration, Oregon Depot Restoration and Ogle County Historical Museum.
We feel so blessed to have had you for so many years. Those who live in the hearts of their loved ones never die.
Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Oregon assisted the family with arrangements.
Visit farrellhollandgale.com to send condolences.