Viola May Gordon, age 104, a long-time resident of Malvern, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Centreville Village in Carrollton. She was born February 24, 1921 in Canton Ohio to the late Fred and Florence (Mercer) Von Gunten.

Viola grew up in Canton and attended McKinley and Timken High School. As a child she loved visiting her grandparents' farm near Magnolia in the summer. When WWII started, Viola went to work for the Timken Company where she met and married her husband, Willis, on April 29, 1944. Most of her adult life was spent raising her family on their farm, gardening, canning, and baking (always sharing her favorite recipes). She had a special love of God's creation: plants, flowers, and pets (her favorite pet, a chihuahua named Tiny).

Viola was very active in her church and community, including the Malvern Historical Society who sponsored her 100th birthday parade. She served on the altar guild of Malvern Methodist Church and for many years cooked Rotary dinners in the church hall. Her faith and family were first and foremost in her life closely followed by her dedication to the Carroll County Democratic party where she served as a Central Committee woman.

She had a love of traveling and experiencing new places as well as telling stories to all about her many adventures. Viola had an amazing memory and could recall people and specific details about places and events up until her last few months of life. Viola knew no strangers. She lived and loved life to the fullest with her hair never out of place and her nails freshly polished. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Viola is survived by four children who will cherish her memories: son, Fred (Gloria) Gordon; daughter, Carol (Ben) Wright; son, Jay Gordon; daughter, Susan (John) Rutledge; 12 grandchildren: Ben and Tim Wright, Mark, Craig, Jason, and Joshua Gordon, Michele (Gordon) Miller, Nicki Gordon-Coy, Jennifer (Knight) Akey, Troy Knight, Jason Rutledge, and Jamie (Rutledge) Hawk; 22 great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear nieces: Kathy Yoho and Joanne Nave.

Viola is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Willis Gordon who died in October 2006; a daughter, Sandra Knight; a sister Ester (Von Gunten); and a brother-in-law, Friend Yoho.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff at Centreville Village and Traditions Hospice for the wonderful care given to Viola.

Funeral service will be held at the Deckman-Bartley Funeral Home, 434 West Main Street, Malvern, Ohio, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11 am with Rev. Alan Hill officiating. Burial will be at Bethlehem Cemetery, Alliance Road, Malvern, Ohio. Visitation will be held at the Deckman-Bartley Funeral Home on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 5 pm to 7 pm and on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, one hour prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Malvern Methodist Church, 121 Wood Street, Malvern OH 44644.