Obituary of Viola Mae McKeever

Viola Mae Jacobs was born on June 1, 1936, in Milan Township, Michigan. She was the middle of five children born to Ernest Jacobs and Esther (Arris) Jacobs. Viola attended Dundee Public Schools.

On October 23, 1954, she wed the love of her life, Clifford McKeever, at a church service in Angola, Indiana. The couple enjoyed fifty-six years of marriage and were blessed with four children prior to his passing in 2010. In addition to caring for her family, Viola was employed at Yech Manufacturing for two years, Dundee Plastics for five years, and Cadillac Plastics in Milan for five years. She was especially proud of the five years she spent as a caregiver at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio.

The McKeever family often traveled to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to visit their home of nearly thirty years in Rapid River. Following Clifford’s retirement, the couple took up residence at the property full time for several years. They cultivated a large vegetable garden, canning their harvest every season. Viola utilized her green thumb to grow plants and flowers as well. They also collected maple syrup from their trees and hunted for elusive Morel mushrooms.

A longtime resident of Dundee, Michigan, Viola visited Bricktown Coney Island restaurant twice a day where she always sat at her favorite table. She was also a frequent visitor at the Dundee Area Senior Center where she played bingo and attended casino trips to try her luck on the slots. A talented crafter, Viola painted the woodworking her husband created. She also enjoyed adult coloring books and word search puzzles. Very outgoing, Viola never met a stranger. More than anything else, she enjoyed family get-togethers and cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Viola Mae McKeever, age 87, of Erie, Michigan passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, March 11, 2024. Her passing was preceded by her parents; husband: Clifford McKeever; a daughter: Diana Miller in 1999; two brothers: Donald Jacobs and Harvey Jacobs; and a sister: Roberta Boedicker.

To cherish her memory, she leaves three children: Rich McKeever of South Carolina, Gail Rochowiak (Brad Bentley) of Sevierville, Tennessee, and Kenneth McKeever of Petersburg, Michigan; eight grandchildren: Amanda (Josh) Gladieux of Ida, Michigan, Samantha (Mike) Jenne of Petersburg, Marie (David) Drake of Maumee, Ohio, Audrey (Matt) Templin of Arizona, Andrea McKeever of Nashville, Tennessee, Jamie (Kallie) McKeever of Temperance, Michigan, Nikki (Jack) Wampler of Temperance, and April Clegg of Petersburg; nineteen great grandchildren: Easton, Hudson, Natalie, Alissa, Justin, Jaxon, Landon, KayLeigh, Colt, Lacey, Maverick, Alicia, Alexis (Jacob), Carissa, Braden, Caden, Violet, and twins, Daisy and Oliver; four great-great grandchildren: Harper, Jackson, Kinsley, and Colton; a sister: Esther Larkin of Kentucky; a sister in-law: Kathy Gorr; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather on Friday; March 15, 2024 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. A Celebration of Viola’s Life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday; March 16, 2024 also at Merkle’s followed by a procession to Maple Grove Cemetery in Dundee for burial.  

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