Violet M. Welty, 92, Galesburg, died at 8:15pm Friday, November 27, 2020, at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville.
Born to Grace E. (Honsman) and Harold L. Sage, Violet was one of nine children. She grew up in Monmouth and met Earl Welty when they both worked at the Monmouth Pottery. Earl said he “had to get to know that gal who looked mad all time”. They dated, fell in love, and were married September 7, 1947. Vi’s father employed Earl in his construction company, and later, the young couple bought and operated a car repair business in the building that is now Vickroy’s Furniture in Monmouth.
Due to Earl’s health, the family (with young Kathy and Mike) moved to Florida, where Vi was an assistant to the dietician at Leesburg General Hospital. Their daughter, Kyle, was born in Florida. Years later, the family moved back to Illinois.
Together, the couple had three children, Kathy (Bob) Keneipp, Galesburg; Mike Welty, Peoria; and Kyle (Doug) Proctor, Gladwin, Michigan.
Vi held a number of jobs including but not limited to: supervisor at Formfit Rogers, caregiver/companion/to the elderly, nanny/sitter to children, a tireless kitchen manager/church volunteer, and always a loving, doting matriarch to her family.
Violet enjoyed cooking, crocheting, reading, and tending to her plants. She was a very creative crafter, and most of all, loved spending time with her family, friends and pets. She established what is now the gift shop at her former church, earning funds for several charities. She was a member of various women’s groups and committees. Violet was a devout Christian who worshiped her God and was faithful in helping others. One of her favorite hymns was “Amazing Grace”.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Orville, Jesse, and Harold, Jr; and two sisters, Bonnie (Morgan) Wells and Carol Buckley.
Surviving are Violet’s children and three grandchildren, Eric (Laura), Stacie (Rob) and Jamie (Josh); plus three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Riley and Saige, Westland, Michigan; a brother, Lloyd Sage, Ocala, Florida; two sisters, Colleen Larkins, Galesburg, and Darlene Moffet, Monmouth; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She always liked her name since it represented a flower, a month, and an herb; a name as unique as the woman herself.
Memorials may be made to the Knox County Nursing Home Activity Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements earlier in December were made by Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth.
