Violet Jane Maki

Violet Jane Maki, 95, of Oscoda, Michigan, formerly of Detroit and Iron Mountain, Michigan. On July 5, 2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, with family at her side, Violet was raised up "On Eagle's Wings" into the waiting arms of the angels. She will be missed, but her love of family, her faith and her spirit will live on. Violet Jane "Vi" (McLeod) Maki was born April 8, 1919 in Iron Mountain, Mich. to George "Frank" McLeod and Emelia (Caviani) McLeod. She was united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, William O. Maki, in Iron Mountain on October 26, 1946. She was proud of her Upper Peninsula heritage and was a true example of the "Yooper" spirit. Vi lived her life committed to the Three C's: Church, Chocolate and Children!! She dedicated her life to sharing her faith and has been an inspiration and a memorable force in the lives of any who had the pleasure of meeting her. She was an active member of Central Northwest Presbyterian Church in Detroit and joined Oscoda Baptist Church when she and Bill retired. For over 35 years, she was influential in her church and community, involved in AWANA Youth Ministry, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), volunteering at the local soup kitchen, as founder and facilitator of an Oscoda Area Grief Group and as a Prayer Warrior and Bible study teacher. Vi was also a hard worker at home and in her employment. She instilled in her children a love of laughter, the importance of family and friends, an appreciation for music and the simple things in life, the wonders of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, pasties and homemade ravioli. She could tell a good story and was a commanding presence in front of an audience large or small. She was great with numbers and used that skill working at Commercial Bank in Iron Mountain and at Manufacturer's National Bank in Detroit. Preceding Vi in death were her husband of over 50 years Bill; her brother and sister-in-law William McLeod and Margaret "Mag" (Cooper) McLeod; and her beloved sister and brother-in-law Shirley (McLeod) and Roy Conta. She is survived by her children and their spouses, all of Michigan: Gary (Debbi) Maki of Ypsilanti, Donald (Cindy) Maki of Sutton's Bay, and Maria Maki & Brian Smith of Paw Paw. In addition, she will be greatly missed by her grandchildren-her pride and joy-and their spouses, all in Michigan except where noted: Derek (Lara) Maki of Lake Orion, Kristen (Dan) Miller of Saline, Amy (Craig) Latta of Ann Arbor, Erin (Scott) Grace of Houston, TX, Aaron (Kara) Smith of Kalamazoo, Sarah (Andrew) Cruz of Plymouth, Adam Casper of White Lake, Bradley (Aimee) Casper of Livonia and Jeffery (Christen) Casper of Whiteman AFB, MO. Her legacy of love includes 12 great grandchildren, and a large extended family of cherished relatives, church family and friends. At her request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00pm on August 5th, 2014 at Oscoda Baptist Church, 5589 US 23, Oscoda, MI, with interment in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. Memorials may be sent to local food banks or to the Oscoda Assembly of God, P.O. Box 36, Oscoda, MI 48750, with a memo note to benefit the "Grocery Give Away" food bank of Oscoda.