Viola Prillwitz

Viola “Vi” Prillwitz, 86, of Eau Claire, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2012 at her home surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Dr. J.O. Hosler officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church or Great Lakes Caring Hospice. Those wishing to share a memory of Viola online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Viola was born December 13, 1925, in Benton Harbor, MI to Frank & Sadie (Krell) Vanosdal. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1944. After high school she worked as an X-ray technician at Mercy Hospital. On February 4, 1950, Viola married Wesley Prillwitz in Benton Harbor. Viola was a devoted wife of 57 years of marriage and mother to her three sons. Viola was a charter member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church. In her spare time she enjoyed swimming, playing tennis, cooking, playing bridge, and was an avid sports fan especially football. Viola is survived by her three sons, Greg (Karen) Prillwitz, Phil (Teri) Prillwitz, and Rod (Beth) Prillwitz, all of Eau Claire; three granddaughters, Christine (Rob) Huber of Eau Claire, Beverly (Jeff) Shembarger of Berrien Center, and Dawn (Matt) Snow of Eau Claire; seven great grandchildren McKenna Smallbone, George Smallbone, Aubrey Huber, Casey Shembarger Gregory Shembarger, Jeffrey Shembarger and Maci Snow; sister Sharon Bayless of Visalia, CA; brother Warren Vanosdal of Granger, IN; many nieces and nephews; and to those who helped take care of Viola during her illness. Viola was preceded in death by her parents and husband Wesley Prillwitz.