Viola Davenport
Godfrey | Thursday, July 14 2011
Viola C. Davenport, age 98 passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton. She was born on January 8, 1913 in Fosterburg the daughter of the late Fred and Bertha (Klinke) Stutz.
Viola will be best remembered by her caring and loving spirit, hard work, potato rolls, risk taking, rug weaving and her advice-giving counsel. She leaves behind her legacy of these five characteristics to be carried on by her descendants: Faith--all things are possible with God, Family--Always take care of others, Generosity--give from the heart, Honesty--always tell the truth, Hard working--work until the job is done well.
Viola married Clarence A. “Deb” Davenport on November 27, 1935 in Alton. He preceded her in death on February 22, 1992. She is survived by four daughters; Sandee Broeker (Stan) of St. Charles, Mo, Cindy Gelsthorpe of Godfrey, Mary Mager (Jim) of Godfrey and Jan Davenport of Godfrey, two sons; C. Allen Davenport (Janet) of Godfrey and Gerald Davenport of Godfrey, a special sister in law; Dorothy Stutz, 17 grandchildren; Greg Broeker (Joelle) Christie Kolath (Scott), Jason Broeker (Jill), Nicholas Broeker (Amy), Michael Davenport (Maria), Julie Rutkowski (Bob), Heather Davenport, Mark Gelsthorpe (Ronda), Matt Gelsthorpe, Tom Gelsthorpe (Erin), Andi Peters (Rob), Laura Wright (Adam), Cory Davenport, Tammy Wells, Tony Davenport (Amanda), Jeremiah Mager (Lora) and Sarah Cordes (John), 16 great grandchildren; Charline, Alice, Gabrielle, Alec, Brooke, Caroline, Luke, Liam, Ross, Mason, Merek, Orion, Noah, Jackson, Hank and Joshua. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a son; Walter Allen Davenport, her siblings and their spouses; Bill Stutz (Jewel), John Stutz (Florence), Walter Stutz (Mary), Marie Meyer (Stan), Freda Card (Ray) and Adelaide Brooks (Art), a son in law; Gary Gelsthorpe, a granddaughter; Diane Gelsthorpe and a great grandson; Ben Gelsthorpe.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 Sunday at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Funeral Mass will be noon Monday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey with Father Jerry Wickenhauser officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey. Memorials may be given to St. Ambrose School Endowment Fund, 820 W. Homer Adams Parkway, Godfrey, IL 62035, St. Vincent de Paul Society, 820 W. Homer Adams Parkway, Godfrey, IL 62035 or Crisis Food Center, 21 E. 6th St., Alton, IL 62002
Online guestbook and additional information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
