Viola Ringenberg

EAST LANSING, Mich. -Viola B. Ringenberg, age 92 of East Lansing, Michigan and formerly of Charleston, passed away on Friday, November 26, 2010 at her home. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Graveside Services honoring and celebrating her life will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Mound Cemetery in Charleston with Reverend Walter Carlson officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. It is requested that memorials in her honor be made to the EIU Foundation Lawrence A. Ringenberg Scholarship Fund. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Vi, as she was affectionately known, was born on December 2, 1917 in Baltimore, Maryland, one of four children born to the late William and Pearl (Wilson) Brown. She served as an Army Nurse during World War II and it was during that time that she met and married a young officer, Lawrence A. Ringenberg. They made Charleston their home where Vi became well known and loved by her many friends and professional colleagues. She was employed and also volunteered as a registered nurse in the Charleston area and for more than sixty years she was a faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed such hobbies as knitting and solving crossword puzzles. Above all, Vi was committed to her family and was a tireless caregiver to her husband and family members. Viola is survived by two sons, Richard R. Ringenberg and wife Lynn of Washington, DC and John J. Ringenberg and wife Shelley of Monroeville, Ohio; a daughter, Joanne J. Vanderveen and husband Terry of Okemos, Michigan; nine grandsons; ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Elnor Wright and husband Ernest of Baltimore. In addition to her parents Viola was preceded in death by her husband in 1995; a son, Lawrence A. Ringenberg, Jr. in 1990; and two sisters.