Viola (Vi) Ellen King

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Vi died peacefully at Windsor Reflections Memory Care in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, at the age of 92.

Vi was born on the family farm on August 15, 1926, the daughter of Benjamin and Amelia Clayton. Growing up on the farm taught her the value of hard work and cultivated her love for gardening, baking, and animals. Shortly after her marriage to Arley King in 1948, she moved to a farm near Lee Center, Illinois, where they raised their three boys, Dan, Jim, and Dick. They spent over 40 years on the farm and loved spending time with family.

Vi always had a pie or cookies baking in the oven and there was the promise of a lively game of cards after dinner. Summers brought picnics at Lowell Park and hiking to the Ice Box. Her grandchildren have fond memories of summer weeks spent with her and their grandfather on the farm; her abundant garden, and her black raspberry pie.

After raising her sons, she worked in Dixon for Clayton Floral, Dixon Floral, and Harlan’s Clothing Store. Upon retirement in 1992, Vi and Arley moved to the north-side of Dixon and enjoyed winter months in Bradenton, Florida. After her husband passed, Vi spent her later years in Florida with her companion, Harold Bosler. Harold now resides in Palm Gardens, Florida, with his son and daughter-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Arley King; her brother, Laurence Clayton; and her grandson, Brian King.

Vi is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Dan (Beverly) of Mount Pleasant, Wis.; Jim (Freddie) of Topsail Beach, N.C.; and Dick (Leslie) of Greenville S.C.; seven grandchildren: Carl, Jeremy, Rene, Regan, Kelly, John and Chuck; and six great-grandchildren: Rhone, Finn, Jack, Liam, Baylor and Chloe.

A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2019, with Pastor Rocky Fritz, officiating at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dixon, Ill.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5 p.m. that same day at the Candlelight Inn, 2200 First Ave. in Rock Falls, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601.

Arrangements were completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon. Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com.