VIOLET TOMKO

Mrs. Violet Patricia Tomko, 72, of 1500 South 8th, went to be with her Lord at 6:02 a.m. Monday (July 25, 2005) in Blessing Hospital.

Born June 23, 1933 in Angola, Indiana, Violet was the daughter of Carl and Lucella Richardson Dauber. She married Rev. George W. Tomko on May 24, 1957 in Alexandria, Virginia. He survives.

An accomplished vocalist and musician, Violet attended Valley Forge Christian College where she toured as a featured soloist with the concert choir, the Chicago Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Art Institute. Violet was a dramatic soprano protege' of the famous Italian opera coach, Arturo DeMuro. She also studied with Naomi Watts and taught voice and piano for many years in Quincy. Her artistic talent led her to be the senior artist for a lithograph company in Chicago and took her to over 30 states, demonstrating chalk talks with fluorescent and black light effects. Her beautiful portraits of Jesus and Christian art are displayed over much of the United States.

Violet was a beloved and honored wife, mother, artist, musician, vocalist, teacher and mentor who shared her gift of music and love for the Lord at Parkview Church and by playing for funeral services throughout the area.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. George Tomko; a daughter, Elizabeth Jane Makuta and her husband Ron of Virginia Beach, VA.; two sons, Todd Shane Tomko and his wife Elizabeth of Portsmouth, N.H. and Brad Elliot Tomko of Atlanta, GA.; nine grandchildren, Douglas Makuta, Aleata Makuta and Rose Makuta of Virginia Beach, VA., Will Tomko, Ben Tomko, Lee Tomko and John Tomko all of Atlanta, GA. and Damek Tomko and Nikolas Tomko both of Portsmouth, N. H.; a brother, Carl Dauber and his wife Bernice of Kalamazoo, MI.; a sister, Lillian Ireland and her husband Bob of Sturgis, MI.; a brother in law, Bob Groff of Sturgis, MI.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Tomko was preceded in death by her parents; a son, George Douglas Tomko; and a sister, Daisy Groff.

Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 and Friday morning until the time of services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Parkview Church.