WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Violet M. Jonker, 93, of White Pigeon, died March 6, 2009, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis following a three-month illness.
She was born Oct. 24, 1915, in Kalamazoo, Mich., a daughter of George S. and Lina (Dollenburg) Schouten.
She lived in the White Pigeon area since she was 4 years old. She was a graduate of White Pigeon High School and attended the International Business College in Fort Wayne, Ind.
On Aug. 9,1937, she married Bartel E. Jonker in Lima, Ohio. He died Feb. 22, 1972.
Violet was employed at White Pigeon Schools in food service and at Ross Labs, a division of Abbott Laboratories in Sturgis for 20 years. She retired in 1982.
She was a 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader and past president of the local AARP. She was a member of the Cora Circle of the Presbyterian Church, held weekly Bingo parties at Thurston Woods, enjoyed playing cards and was well known for her beautiful flower gardens.
Surviving are two sons, Bart (Mary Jane) Jonker of Sturgis and Bruce (Sandra) Jonker of Dover, Ohio; five grandchildren, Bartel (Beth) Jonker of Kalamazoo, Robert (Ava) Jonker of Muskegon, Mich., Jeffrey Jonker of Holly, Mich., Jeremy Jonker of New York, NY and Jessica (Chris) Moore of Salem, Wis.; five great-grandchildren, Ryan, April, Maggie, Justin and Gabrielle. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; stepfather, Bill Thompson; two sisters, Margaret Smith and Ramona Schouten.
Relatives and friends may call from 2-4 p.m.and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Scott United Methodist Church, Scott, Ind., with the Rev. Jeff Stedge officiating. Burial will be in Sidner Cemetery, Howe, Ind.
Memorials may be directed to the Scott United Methodist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
