Obituary of Viola Rose Ward-Rushton

Of Flint, age 91, died Friday, December 23, 2011, at Genesys Hospice Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 am, Thursday, December 29, 2011, at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris. Rev. Fr. Thomas Nenneau will officiate with burial to follow in New Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Wednesday evening, family and friends will gather at the funeral home to pray the Rosary at 6:00pm. On Thursday, Viola will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be considered to the Hurley Pediatrics Cancer Center. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Viola was born February 28, 1920, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy and Lila (Fournier) Haemmerlein. She and Lyle Ward were united in marriage March 3, 1943, in Fort Ord, California; he preceded her in death. She would later marry Angus Rushton October 10, 1986; he also preceded her in death. Viola worked for AC Spark Plug for 30 years, until her retirement. She loved roller skating and actively skated late into her 80's. She also walked the Crim and the Mackinac Bridge Walk for almost two decades. Viola also enjoyed playing the organ and harmonica. Viola leaves to cherish her memory brother, Eldon and wife, Norma Haemmerlein; sister, Joyce Harrison; many nieces and nephews; six step-children; and many step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Lyle Ward and Angus Rushton; two brothers, Lovell and Marvin; two sisters, Leota and Dolores; and two step-daughters.Viola's family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Genesys Hospice Care Center for their love and support during her illness.