Viola K. Springer

07/21/1910 - 04/13/2006

In profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Viola K. Springer, 95, of Ligonier, who died peacefully at her home on Thursday afternoon, April 13, 2006, after a brief illness. She was born July 21, 1910, in Saltsburg, a daughter of the late Simon Mitchell King and Cynthia Belle Kelley King. Mrs. Springer was the co-owner with her late husband of both the ski shop and restaurant at the top of Laurel Mountain. She was one of the first employees hired by Richard King Mellon when he opened Laurel Mountain Ski Resort and was associated with the Rolling Rock Races for many years. Viola was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was known by many for her sense of humor, her storytelling, and for her love of card games and bingo. Vi was affectionately known as "Nana" to her grandchildren and "Big Nana" to her great-grandchildren. She relished teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to play cards and bingo and in telling a good story to her friends. Vi shared her wonderful sense of humor with everyone she met. In addition to card games and bingo, she was an avid golfer. She was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church and a former member of the Rolling Rock Club, Ligonier Country Club and Latrobe Elks. She is survived by her loving daughter, Sandra S. Mellon (and her husband Seward Prosser Mellon), of Ligonier; five grandchildren, Kym Stout-Phillips, Mark Stout, Dr. Stacy Gillespie and husband, Dr. Martin Gillespie, Catharine Cathey and husband, John Cathey, and Constance Elizabeth Kapp and her husband, Jason Kapp; and 11 great-grandchildren who she deeply loved, Ryan Stout, Benjamin Phillips, Gunnar, Wyatt and Aidan Gillespie, Prosser, Kingsleigh, Sterling and Beatty Cathey, and Zachary and Jacob Kapp. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Mary King; a cousin, Betty Ross, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, James R. Springer in 1980; five sisters, Helen King, Dora Semyan, Mary Helfer, Charlotte Laughry, and Gladys Armstrong; and two brothers, Robert and Clifford King. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the J. PAUL McCRACKEN FUNERAL CHAPEL INC., 144 E. Main St., Ligonier. A celebration of Viola's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Covenant Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Robert D. Cummings officiating. Interment will follow in the Ligonier Valley Cemetery, Ligonier. Mrs. Springer's family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the health care providers who assisted during Viola's final days. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Covenant Presbyterian Church or the Ligonier YMCA. To send condolences to the family or to sign the online register book, please visit www.jpaulmccrackenfuneralchapel.com.