Viola Spradlin

Viola Patrick Spradlin of Homer, Michigan, passed away July 30 after a long illness. The daughter of Cleveland and Maxine Patrick, she was born in McGuffy, Ohio on November 2, 1930. Vi lived for most of her life in Homer with her husband of 42 years, Hearl Spradlin.Vi loved music, dancing, flowers and all children. She was a member of the Presbytarian church in Homer and Marshall for many years. She served in the V.F.W. auxiliary and on the board of advisors of Homer Boy Scout Troop 156 for many years.Above all else, Vi loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Vi served with distinction as a 29-year employee of State Farm insurance in Marshall, Michigan. She looked up on her employment there with pride for she was the only employee in the history of the Marshall office to serve in all four departments, fire, home, auto and life insurance. Though she enjoyed her work, all of us in the family know it was merely a distraction that provided her money with which to spoil her grandchildren.After her retirement she indulged her lifelong love of music and dance by taking up clogging. After taking lessons she joined a dance troupe. Eventually she became such a proficient clogger she taught lessons.She enjoyed traveling the country to attend Indy Car Races, cheering on the Patrick Racing team, owned and operated by her beloved brother Pat Patrick. In her later years she often expressed it was her dream to one day marry Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti. That is as long as Robert Redford remained unavailable. Neither Mr. Andretti nor Mr. Redford were aware of these developments.Vi was an avid reader, bridge and poker player. She was also world renowned for her cookie baking skills, winning several state, regional and national championships. Her award winning Archway Frosted Lemon and Nabisco Vanilla wafers were the culmination of years of experimentation and perfection and a celebration of her baking prowess.Vi was often heard to remark that every day was an adventure. One of her favorite things was taking road trips with her eldest daughter as her co-pilot to visit her youngest daughter in North Carolina. Often these trips resulted in several additional miles as they became hopelessly lost in at least seventeen states. But to Vi even getting lost on a road trip was an adventure. Her philosophy of life followed her in her travels. She would say "if you get lost, take the big road out of town, regroup and move on."Her family will attempt to move on despite the giant void her absence leaves us with. It will require a lot of regrouping, but as ordered we will move on.She is survived by her children daughter Regina Spradlin, DeWitt Michigan, daughter Constance Colley, Jacksonville, NC. Son Michael Patrick Spradlin, Lapeer, Michigan and daughter Kelly Mackey Spradlin Lapeer, Michigan. Her brother U.E. Pat Patrick and Kathy Patrick, Jackson, Michigan. Sister Elmina Hackworth Homer. Michigan.Her obituary would not be complete without listing her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandsons Tom Hakes (Nicki) DeWitt, Michigan, and Christopher Rhodes of Newport, NC, Granddaughter Jennifer Hamilton (Rob) Marbury, Maryland, Catherine Elizabeth Peterson (Dan), Jacksonville, North Carolina, Michael 'Mick' Spradlin (Jessica), Rachel Spradlin, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.Her great grand children include Zachary Hakes, Robert, Ryan, and Nora Hamilton and Kara, Kacie and Jakob Peterson.Relatives and friends will be received on Sunday August 2, 2015 at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, Homer Chapel, 303 S. Hillsdale St. Homer, MI, 49245 from 2 - 4 PM and 6-8 PM. A funeral service celebrating the life of Viola will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday at the Funeral Home with Mr. Michael Sprandlin Officiating. A private family Interment will take place at Cooks Prairie Cemetery in Homer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Homer Public Library. Assistance with memorials is available at the Funeral home.