Viola Edith Bomke

Viola E. Bomke, 107, of Benton Harbor, went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, December 19, 2016 at Hanson Hospice Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 P.M. Friday, December 23, 2016 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church on the corner of Colfax and Kline, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Jeff Bolwerk officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens.  Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Lutheran Church or Hospice at Home.  Those wishing to sign Viola’s memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Viola was born on June 12, 1909 to Carl and Amilia (Hafer) Hauch at their home in Millburg, MI. On Christmas day in 1935 she married Henry J. Bomke at St. Matthews Lutheran Church.  Viola was a baptized and confirmed lifetime member of St. Matthews.  She was very active in the church and was a member of the Altar Guild.  Viola worked at Fidelity Drug Store in Benton Harbor, on her parent’s farm and was a housewife after marriage.  After Viola’s parents passed away, she and Henry moved back to the farm where they built a new home, continued farming and raising their family. Viola is survived by her daughter, Elaine (John) Schweitzer of Danbury, CT; grandchildren, Henry S. Bomke, Lynda (Dan) Wood, David (Julie) Schweitzer and Mark (Maria) Schweitzer; great grandchildren, Breanna Bomke, Tabetha Bomke, Alex Wood, Emilia Schweitzer and Kayla Schweitzer and great-great- grandchildren, Trentin Crain, Emilee Bowren and Tara Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 50 years, Henry in 1985; son, Duane Bomke in 2010 and grandsons, Kevin Bomke and John Schweitzer III.