Violet Spence, 88

Violet J. Spence, age 88, of rural Three Rivers, died on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton surrounded by her family. She was born in Knoxville, TN on June 4, 1931 the daughter of John R. and Mary O. (Crowe) Gentry. She graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1949. She was married to John W. Spence on Dec. 16, 1949 in the West Mendon EUB Church. She directed the Youth Choir and taught Sunday School at church. Violet worked at several area business over the years. She enjoyed ceramics, painting and drawing, antiquing, playing the organ or piano, and especially loved time with her family.

Violet is survived by four children and their spouses, Mary Ellen (Steve) Houts of Three Rivers, Bob (Kathy) Spence of Mendon, Norma (Jay) Dahl of Mendon, and Jimmy (Diane) Spence of Three Rivers; eight grandchildren, Christopher Houts, Chad (Kelly) Spence, Angie Crotser, Cory (Cindy) Munn, Kandi (Troy) Torres, Travis (Cassidy) Munn, Karlie (TJ) Clark, and Kendra (Lane) Duell; eighteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Bessie Jones of South Bend, Mary Patterson of Lansing, and Sharon (Sam) Rial of Colon; brothers, Doug (Pat) Gentry of Battle Creek and Terry Gentry of Kalamazoo; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; daughter, Sandra; sister, Althea Gentry; and brothers, Robert “Sonny” Gentry, and Ronald Gentry.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be at 11 am Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at the West Mendon Community Church where the family will receive friends for one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Scott-Doane Cemetery in Mendon Township. It is suggested that memorials be directed to either Grace Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com