Submitted by: Dan Rich

Violet Ethel Kizer

Feb. 21,1906 - Dec. 21,2007

South Bend Tribune 12/24/2007
SOUTH BEND - Violet Ethel (Graves) Kizer, 101 and 10 months, of Healthwin Care Center and formerly a long time resident of German Township, South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 6 a.m. Friday. She had been a resident of Healthwin since February 1, 2005. Violet was born the fifth of eight children to Clinton E. Graves (1872-1955) and Mary Ann (Fissgus) Graves (1876-1977). Violet's paternal grandparents were William Harvey Graves (1832-1899) and Sarah Jane (Carr) Graves (1838-1928). Her maternal grandparents were John Fissgus (1848-1930) and Susanna S. (Martin) Fissgus (1854-1930). Violet is survived by her son, James E. (Brenda) Kizer of South Bend; granddaughters, Colleen (Dave) Martindale of Osceola, Indiana, and Pam (Matt) Lane of North Liberty, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Aaron Martindale and Kendra, Kellie and Garrett Lane; a brother, Lawrence Graves, 97, of Three Oaks, Michigan; and seven nieces and three nephews; and numerous grand- and great-grand- nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Eugene M. Kizer (June 23, 1907 - August 11, 1954) and an infant daughter (August 11, 1934). Also preceding her in death were brothers, Clarence (1898-1904) and Walter 1912-1972); and sisters, Laura (1900-1906), Eva Sutton (1902-1988), Mildred Graves (1904-2001) and Clara Bingaman (1908-1946).

Violet was born in the family home on Western Avenue, as were all of her brothers and sisters. Then her family moved to New Carlisle, where Violet graduated from New Carlisle High School in 1925.

On June 15, 1929, in the parsonage of First Christian Church, in South Bend, she married Eugene M. Kizer. She started her work career in 1925 in retail sales at S.S. Kressge Co., in South Bend, where she eventually became office manager. The great depression had just hit! She found herself to be the only member of her family to still have a job. For a long time she shared her small weekly paycheck with many members of her family. She later worked for the W.T. Grant Company and was the office manager there when she retired working full-time in 1971 at the age of 65. Violet then worked the next ten years in the German Township Assessors Office. Violet was a 50 plus year member of the Northwest United Methodist Church, formerly Portage Chapel of South Bend. She possessed a very strong faith in God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This brings the family much comfort in knowing that she is now at home with her Master and Lord. She was mom to one, mother-in-law to one, grammy to four, great-grammy to four, sister to seven and aunt to ten. We all loved her dearly. She was generous and sweet and we will all miss her.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. in Welsheimer Family Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home, with Reverend Ron Dixon officiating. Burial will be at the Riverview Cemetery, located on Portage Ave., South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest United Methodist Church at 21855 Brick Road, South Bend, IN 46628.