Obituaries
Obituary for Reverend Violet M. Haberkorn
Reverend Violet Marie Haberkorn (67) passed into Eternal Joy with God and Jesus her Savior on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 after a brave battle with Frontal Temporal Dementia. She bore the challenges of the illness with God’s grace and a very positive attitude.
Violet was the daughter of Emma (Grawey) and Paul Haberkorn and was named Mary Frances. In 2009 she legally changed her name to something that seemed to “fit better.” She had become rather “monochromatic” with the color purple, and she particularly favored the shade of violet. Upon meeting people, they would comment “You must like purple because of your name.” To which she would reply, “I had the color before I had the name.”
She was born in Peoria IL on September 23, 1954, the surviving twin of Teresa Marie, who welcomed her into Eternal Joy, together at last.
She was raised Roman Catholic, attending Catholic schools, graduating from Bergan High School in 1972 and from IL State University in 1976.
While in high school, she fantasized about being a social worker. She was employed by Methodist Medical Center from 1976 to 1981, as part of their new Comprehensive Cancer Care Program, caring for patients of the St Jude Affiliate. Being a social worker led her to seek a Master’s Degree of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (Episcopal) so that she could minister to people on a deeper spiritual level.
While in seminary, she received “The Seabury-Western Prize for Outstanding Service” and she scored the highest possible marks on the final examination. She fell in love with Don Kuntz, a student attending Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (UMC). They were married from 1986 to 2000.
Mary Frances was ordained an Episcopal priest on April 6, 1991. She served several congregations as interim pastor along with being Rector of St Mark Church in Wadsworth Ohio and Rector at St John Church in Speedway Indiana. Her sermons were very well written and delivered with the passion in her heart.
She invested much time and energy into seeking meaningful work both paid and volunteer. Indeed, seeking meaning was a hallmark of her life, beginning in a Religion class at Bergan HS. Her life verse was Micah 6:8, “Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”
In 2001 she met Bob Dole at Alcoholics Anonymous, Indianapolis. She referred to him as her “pseudo-spouse” as they shared mutual interests and traveled together. Since her move to Peoria in 2012, Bob has continued to provide support and companionship by visiting and daily phone calls.
Violet deeply enjoyed playing Scrabble. She was a gifted word-smith and had impeccable printing, always done with the perfect purple felt tip pen. She sent cleverly written, thoughtful notes on her custom postcards with purposely picked postage stamps. Her favorite TV show was Jeopardy and she enjoyed playing Trivia at Independence Village. She was constantly seeking recycling opportunities. She enjoyed working on local political campaigns.
“Rescued” was her favorite breed of dog and Violet adopted several of them. Most recently an adorable Shih Tzu who became her “therapy/comfort animal.” She and Zoey went many places together, spreading cheer in extended care facilities. Violet was a generous blood donor, giving 44 gallons of platelets in her lifetime. She was also a hospice volunteer with Unity Point Health/Methodist. She faithfully served at Loaves and Fish, First United Methodist Church.
She was a member of St Paul Episcopal Church, Peoria, a member of their Altar Guild, and the sender of birthday cards to parishioners. She was a Eucharistic Minister and Liturgical Lector, and served with the Food Pantry. She was a resident of Independence Village, where she had many friends and she knew everyone’s name and they knew hers.
She is survived by her three sisters and brothers-in-law: Anne and Bill Zeithammer, Punta Gorda FL, Lynne and Jerry Lisenby and Jeanne and Peter Barclay, all of Peoria. And by 9 nieces and nephews and 14 great ones.
Violet’s family thanks OSF Owens Hospice Home and the many caregivers at Independence Village for their kind and compassionate care.
In her final gift and deciding to be of service to society, Violet has bequeathed her earthy body to medical education and research, for training of personnel and advancement of medical science.
Her life will be celebrated with Holy Eucharist at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3601 N North Street, Peoria, at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Officiated by Rev Tamsen Whistler, Violet’s roommate from Seminary, and Rev Jenny Replogle and Rev Jonathan Thomas. Friends may visit with family from 10:00am – 11:45am. Purple attire is encouraged.
Violet requested memorials to Loaves and Fish, First United Methodist, Peoria or to St Paul’s Church Food Pantry.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Violet was the daughter of Emma (Grawey) and Paul Haberkorn and was named Mary Frances. In 2009 she legally changed her name to something that seemed to “fit better.” She had become rather “monochromatic” with the color purple, and she particularly favored the shade of violet. Upon meeting people, they would comment “You must like purple because of your name.” To which she would reply, “I had the color before I had the name.”
She was born in Peoria IL on September 23, 1954, the surviving twin of Teresa Marie, who welcomed her into Eternal Joy, together at last.
She was raised Roman Catholic, attending Catholic schools, graduating from Bergan High School in 1972 and from IL State University in 1976.
While in high school, she fantasized about being a social worker. She was employed by Methodist Medical Center from 1976 to 1981, as part of their new Comprehensive Cancer Care Program, caring for patients of the St Jude Affiliate. Being a social worker led her to seek a Master’s Degree of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (Episcopal) so that she could minister to people on a deeper spiritual level.
While in seminary, she received “The Seabury-Western Prize for Outstanding Service” and she scored the highest possible marks on the final examination. She fell in love with Don Kuntz, a student attending Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (UMC). They were married from 1986 to 2000.
Mary Frances was ordained an Episcopal priest on April 6, 1991. She served several congregations as interim pastor along with being Rector of St Mark Church in Wadsworth Ohio and Rector at St John Church in Speedway Indiana. Her sermons were very well written and delivered with the passion in her heart.
She invested much time and energy into seeking meaningful work both paid and volunteer. Indeed, seeking meaning was a hallmark of her life, beginning in a Religion class at Bergan HS. Her life verse was Micah 6:8, “Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”
In 2001 she met Bob Dole at Alcoholics Anonymous, Indianapolis. She referred to him as her “pseudo-spouse” as they shared mutual interests and traveled together. Since her move to Peoria in 2012, Bob has continued to provide support and companionship by visiting and daily phone calls.
Violet deeply enjoyed playing Scrabble. She was a gifted word-smith and had impeccable printing, always done with the perfect purple felt tip pen. She sent cleverly written, thoughtful notes on her custom postcards with purposely picked postage stamps. Her favorite TV show was Jeopardy and she enjoyed playing Trivia at Independence Village. She was constantly seeking recycling opportunities. She enjoyed working on local political campaigns.
“Rescued” was her favorite breed of dog and Violet adopted several of them. Most recently an adorable Shih Tzu who became her “therapy/comfort animal.” She and Zoey went many places together, spreading cheer in extended care facilities. Violet was a generous blood donor, giving 44 gallons of platelets in her lifetime. She was also a hospice volunteer with Unity Point Health/Methodist. She faithfully served at Loaves and Fish, First United Methodist Church.
She was a member of St Paul Episcopal Church, Peoria, a member of their Altar Guild, and the sender of birthday cards to parishioners. She was a Eucharistic Minister and Liturgical Lector, and served with the Food Pantry. She was a resident of Independence Village, where she had many friends and she knew everyone’s name and they knew hers.
She is survived by her three sisters and brothers-in-law: Anne and Bill Zeithammer, Punta Gorda FL, Lynne and Jerry Lisenby and Jeanne and Peter Barclay, all of Peoria. And by 9 nieces and nephews and 14 great ones.
Violet’s family thanks OSF Owens Hospice Home and the many caregivers at Independence Village for their kind and compassionate care.
In her final gift and deciding to be of service to society, Violet has bequeathed her earthy body to medical education and research, for training of personnel and advancement of medical science.
Her life will be celebrated with Holy Eucharist at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3601 N North Street, Peoria, at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Officiated by Rev Tamsen Whistler, Violet’s roommate from Seminary, and Rev Jenny Replogle and Rev Jonathan Thomas. Friends may visit with family from 10:00am – 11:45am. Purple attire is encouraged.
Violet requested memorials to Loaves and Fish, First United Methodist, Peoria or to St Paul’s Church Food Pantry.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
2
Apr
10:00 AM
- 11:45 AM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
3601 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Funeral Service
Saturday
2
Apr
12:00 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
3601 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
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