Viola Nighswonger

Viola M. Nighswonger, age 95, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022. She was born August 31st, 1926 at the family farm in Forreston, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Henrietta (Ruter) Johnson. She graduated from Forreston High School in 1944. After graduation, she worked at both MicroSwitch and Kable News in Mt. Morris. Viola married Harold E. "Bud" Nighswonger on August 28, 1948 in Forreston. Harold preceded her in death on March 24th, 2003. Viola was a mother and homemaker, and she enjoyed being a 4-H leader, Girl Scout Leader, and volunteer at the Byron Forest Preserve. She also worked in Byron at the Sno-White Bakery, Ben Franklin Dime Store, Murphy's Restaurant in the Cacciatore's Grocery Store, and caring for the landscape at Byron Bank. Viola enjoyed being outdoors and caring for her yard, which led to her working for her son-in-law on the grounds crew at Rockford Country Club, Prairie View Golf Course, and his landscape business Just Turf. She was a former active member of the Forreston Grove Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, and she most recently attended Grace Fellowship Church in Freeport. Viola especially enjoyed spending time with family and attending family events. Viola was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bud, her brother Leo Johnson, and her son-in-law Steve Storz. She is survived by her two daughters Sheila (Harvey) Bolen of German Valley, IL, and Cindy Storz of Oregon, IL; one grandson Joshua (Stacey) Bolen of German Valley, IL; two great-grandchildren Amos and Anstina Bolen; and one sister-in-law Vera Johnson of Forreston, IL. Private family burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Freeport, IL. A celebration of Viola's life will be from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 17th, 2022 at the Byron Museum, 110 N. Union St., Byron, IL 61010. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Viola's name to the charity of your choice.