Viola Kathryn Zehr b. 14 Aug 1920 Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL d. 2 Apr 2006 Foosland, Champaign Co., IL: The Schrock-Birkey Connection

Viola Kathryn Zehr

Female 1920 - 2006  (85 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All

  • Name Viola Kathryn Zehr  [1, 2
    Birth 14 Aug 1920  Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Female 
    Religion Mennonite 
    Death 2 Apr 2006  Foosland, Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • At her home
    Burial Fisher, Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • East Bend Mennonite Cemetery
    Person ID I2815  Schrock-Birkey Connection
    Last Modified 26 Jan 2022 

    Father Daniel Alvin Zehr,   b. 25 Sep 1890, Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 16 Jan 1973, Sarasota, FL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years) 
    Mother Kate Elizabeth Birkey,   b. 25 Apr 1894, Decatur Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Nov 1987, Meadows, McLean Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 93 years) 
    Marriage 17 Dec 1913  East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    • By Peter Zehr, at home of Valentine Birkey
    Family ID F111  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Wilbert John Birky,   b. 2 Dec 1919, Foosland, Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Apr 2004, Gibson City, Ford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years) 
    Marriage 28 Feb 1941  Ludlow, Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Sandra Lee Birky
     2. Linda Lou Birky
     3. Roger Jon Birky
     4. Dennis Dan Birky
     5. Mervin Ray Birky
     6. Tamra Kay Birky
     7. Becky Lyn Birky,   b. 20 Jan 1955, Foosland, Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Dec 1955, Champaign Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)
     8. Wilbert Don Birky
    Family ID F1982  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 25 May 2004 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 14 Aug 1920 - Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 28 Feb 1941 - Ludlow, Champaign Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 2 Apr 2006 - Foosland, Champaign Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Fisher, Champaign Co., IL Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Obit:
      Viola Kathryn Birky, 85, died April 2 at her home in rural Foosland, Ill.

      Services were Wednesday, April 5, at East Bend Mennonite Church in Fisher, Ill. Burial was at the East Bend Mennonite Memorial Gardens.

      She was born Aug. 14, 1920, to Dan and Katie (Birkey) Zehr in Deer Creek, Ill.

      On Feb. 28, 1941, she married Wilbert Birky, who predeceased her in 2004. She farmed with her husband in rural Foosland most of their married life. She was a life-long member of the East Bend Mennonite Church.

      She is survived by four sons, Roger and Rachel of Gibson City, Ill., Dennis and Joyce of Hoopeston, Ill., Mervin and Venita of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Don and Debbie of Foosland; three daughters, Sandy and Bob Miller of Mahomet, Ill., Linda and Tony Ramirez of Foosland, and Tami and Howard Keim of Hesston; two sisters, Lela Keller of Paxton, Ill., and Fern Helmuth of Arthur, Ill.; two brothers, Melvin Zehr of Fisher and Wilmer Zehr of Champaign, Ill; 23 grandchildren and 33 great- grandchildren.

      She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Becky; a brother, Wayne Zehr, and a great-grandson, Drew Stutzman.

      Memorials have been established with the Betania Mennonite School and the church. Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is handling the arrangements.

  • Sources 
    1. [S16] Edna Schertz, Joseph and Catherine Stalter Good.

    2. [S2] Ruth Berkey Reichly, The Berkey Book, (Arlington, VA).

    3. [S225] Peter Zehr, East Bend Mennonite Church Records.


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