Viola "Vi" Mae Hankla

CARBONDALE – Viola Mae Clayton Hankla, 90, passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Manor Court of Carbondale.



Viola was born May 3, 1928 in Union County to Everett and Pearl (Smith) Clayton. She married Joseph R. Hankla on September 16, 1949.



Viola is survived by her loving husband, Joseph; sisters, Geraldine Elkins of Marion, Vurtis Duckworth (James) of Perks, Louise Smith Pender (Art) of Anna, Carolyn Bird (Bill) of Jonesboro; brother, Jerrie Clayton of Anna; nieces, Teresa Althoff, Regina Wilkinson, Julia Milkovick, Pamela Graham, Sonya Jaquet, Ramona Ralls; and nephews, Stanley Elkins, Cary Clayton, Brad Duckworth, Thomas Smith and Jeremy Bird.



She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Loretta Clayton Harris; brother, Dennis Everett Clayton; brother-in-law, Dennis Jr. Harris; and nephews, Fred Leon Harris and Gregory Smith.



She was a member of First United Methodist of Carbondale and the United Methodist Women of Anna, while they lived in Anna after retiring. She was a devoted wife and companion working beside her husband as a Pastors wife and help mate on all his work projects, and a homemaker and later caretaker after his stroke.



Funeral services for Viola will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Carbondale with Rev. Alan Rhein, Rev. John Annable and Elder Keith Joiner officiating. Burial will follow in Anna City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 25 at First United Methodist Church of Carbondale.



The preferred form of remembrance are memorials to First United Methodist Church of Carbondale, Little Grassy Camp, Hispanic Ministries of Cobden or Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Envelopes will be available at the church.



Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Viola please visit, www.meredithfh.com