VIOLA MARIE DEAL

Viola M. Deal, 97, of Piqua, passed away peacefully at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Piqua Manor Nursing Home. She was born November 18, 1926 in Shelby County to the late Raymond F. and Helen (Ford) Mader. She married Paul E. Deal November 29, 1947 in Lena and he preceded her in death September 8, 2013.

Survivors include three children, Jerilyn Hershey of Troy, Mark (Carolyn) Deal of Casstown, and Merilee Deal of Covington; one daughter in law, Karen Deal of Piqua; 17 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; one sister, Edith Fellers of Piqua; one sister in law, Pat Mader; also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by two sons, Randy Deal and Deron Deal; her son in law, Jim Hershey; and daughter in law, Gail Deal; four siblings, Albert Mader, Shirley Swallow, John Mader, and Bill Mader; and her sister in law, Joy Mader.

Viola was a graduate of Piqua Central High School, Class of 1946. Viola initially worked at the former G.C. Murphy store in Piqua, and later delivered the Piqua Daily Call for many years. During her husband Paul's retirement, she worked alongside Paul and her son in law Jim to run the children's train at the Miami Valley Centre Mall, the Raff Railroad Express. The career she enjoyed the most was being a homemaker and raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She demonstrated her dedication to her children and other children through her involvement in PTA, being a Room Mother, and a Den Mother for Cub Scouts. Viola also taught Sunday School for many years and was involved in the former Good News Club. She was a longtime faithful member of the Union Baptist Church in Troy. Viola was never idle and was always active keeping her home neat and orderly. She enjoyed cross stitching, and made it her mission to hand make crosses and aimed to donate those to nursing homes and many places across the country, and continued this work until just a few years ago. Viola's family would like to thank Piqua Manor and Legacy Hospice for their tender care and attention to Viola in recent months.

A service to honor her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 30, 2024 at the Union Baptist Church in Troy with Rev. Dr. William Berkheiser and Rev. Fred Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church, 1833 E. Peterson Rd., Troy, OH 45373, or in honor of Viola's giving spirit please contribute to a Mission Project or a charity of your choosing. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of VIOLA MARIE DEAL, please visit our floral store.