Viola Mae Newvine

Newvine, Viola Mae (Ferris) of Merrill, MI 

Viola passed away on September 4, 2022, holding the hands of her family. Viola was born on September 30, 1930, to Jess and Esther Ferris in Flint, Michigan.

Viola was raised in Linden, and later moved to Whittemore where she worked as the town’s switchboard operator. She was known by everyone and well respected in the community. She later took a job as the telephone operator for the National Gypsum Plant. 

Viola saw the love of her life through the window of a train, as he hung the mail for train pick-up at his family's general store. She set out to find him, and she did, at the town's dancehall. She claimed him as her own.

Viola was presented in marriage by her stepfather, Claude Edwards, to her love, Lloyd J. Newvine on May 19, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Whittemore, Michigan. 

They started their family in a tiny apartment above the family store in McIvor, MI. Shortly after, they settled into Merrill, where Viola turned their house into a home. Viola took pride in doing her housework, preparing and serving big meals in pretty dishes. Simple things brought her joy like hanging clothes on the line to dry and then ironing them before putting them away. 

She had an unbreakable bond with her daughter. Their hearts were one and the same. She was always home waiting for them after school. She loved being a mother the most. It was her number one job in life. 

She was talented at quilting, knitting & crocheting. Viola crocheted slippers hats and blankets for all of her family. She made beautiful table doilies for the special women in her life. Many of her homemade projects were donated to the veterans of the VA hospital & newborns. She was a former active member of the Congregational Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher & ladies auxiliary.

Viola and Bud shared just shy of 64 years together before he passed away in 2015. Together they enjoyed their 12-acre woods riding their golf cart through their self-made trails named after their children, tending to a small blueberry farm in the backyard, sitting on the porch, watching the traffic on 46 and spending each evening together in their living room. Whatever they were doing, they were happy to just be together. 

Her entire family brought her the most joy. She loved being a grandma. It made her heart full. There were many winter strolls through the woods singing Winter Wonderland, she had treasure boxes for each that were just for them. She gave the best back tickles. She was like a fairy god mother; she made wishes come true. Even if it was just sneaking each one a dollar so they could go to the store to buy candy.

Then the great-grand babies started coming and a whole new love grew in her heart. There were many rocking chair snuggles. 

Viola is survived by two sons, Lloyd (Tari) Newvine III, and Bruce (Lori) Newvine; a daughter, Sue Ellen (Ron) Honaman; 11 grandchildren, Brooke, Sara, Leslie, Julie, Kimberly, Marcus, Shannon, Jordan, Crystal, Stacy and Craig; 19 great-grandchildren; a brother, Claude Edwards; two sisters-in-law, Kathryn Valliere and Marceline Ferris; and many close friends. 

She was predeceased by her parents, brother, Alton Ferris; sister, Pearl Schliep; three brothers-in-law, Joe Schliep, Cy Valliere, and Ray Borchard; mother & father-in-law, Elizabeth & Lloyd Newvine; sister-in-law, Jean Borchard.

We would like to thank Viola's special nurses: Shelly, Joan, Jean & Kelly. 

A funeral service will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 125 E. Saginaw Road, Merrill. Rev. Rob Richards will officiate. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers please consider Jonesfield-Lakefield Fire Department. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.