Mrs. Viola K. (Kocher) Keller, age 100

Mrs. Viola K. (Kocher) Keller, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:42 AM – Friday, February 17, 2017, at Newton Care Center in Newton, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM – Monday, February 20, 2017, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois, with Fr. Dean Probst celebrating mass.  Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Ste. Marie, Illinois.  Visitation will be held 1 hour before the mass in church.  In loving memory of Viola, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.

Viola was born on August 31, 1916, in rural Newton, Illinois, the daughter of Daniel and Ella (Kessler) Kocher.  She married Marion Paul Keller on June 18, 1941, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on May 3, 1993.

Viola was a homemaker and mother.   She was a lifelong member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic church in Ste. Marie, Illinois, member of the St. Mary's Altar society and the Jasper County Home Extension.

Viola enjoyed raising flowers, especially roses.

Viola is survived by: Children – Judith (Paul) Schrock of Arthur, Illinois, Sharon Stierwalt of Murphysboro, Illinois,
Jim (Mary) Keller of Decatur, Illinois and David (Rhonda) Keller of Newton, Illinois
12 Grandchildren          14 Great Grandchildren

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Marc Stierwalt, brothers Elmer, Urban, Sylvan and Theodore Kocher, sisters Delphine Kocher, Florence Barry and Helen Frichtl.