Viola Jane Witter

Viola J. (Peachie) Keely Witter was born January 29, 1932, the daughter of Viola (Hunter) and John J. (Jack) Keely. She passed away in the early morning hours of May 2, 2026.

Peachie graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1950. She married Duane (Sonny) Witter on June 24, 1950. Sonny passed away in 2010. Together, they had four daughters and a son, who passed away after fourteen hours.

Peachie worked for a short time at AC Spark Plug before taking time to raise her girls. At age 23, her mother passed away and Peachie and Sonny took her youngest sister, age 9, to live with them.

When Sonny established his vending business (Greater Flint Vending, later called Carriage Town Vending), Peachie was Office Manager. She held that job until 2003. Peachie loved genealogy, her home, her family, her cats B.B. and Big Boy, and dog Asia. She devoted herself tirelessly to being an adult tutor to help people who worked at General Motors learn to read. She also checked grammar, played and taught piano.She leaves to cherish her memory all the love and devotion she gave to her four daughters: Roxanne (Tim) Long, Kim Bates, Denise (Pat) Whaley, Kelly Higgins; sister, Beverly Fekovic; brother, Jerry Keely; sisters-in-law: Shirley Keely/Pickering, Sheila Olivo Keely and her loving partner, Kirk Spielmaker. Peachie also leaves ten grandchildren: Heather (Sandy) Levine, Nicole (Matt) Bates, Scott (Tara) Bates, Rose (Jake) Thomas, Ryan Whaley, Angela (Dennis) Eichorn, Amy (Fred) Tacey, Becky Long, Erica Higgins, Darrin Frechette Jr., Samantha (Kyle Haggadone) Frechette; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Peachie was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny; 4 sisters: Marian Wills, Dorothy McClanahan, Marjorie Keely, and Lila Moss; 5 brothers: John (Jack) Keely Jr., Wallace Keely, William Keely, Robert Keely, and Darold Keely; son-in-law, Brian Bates. Cremation has taken place. A private celebration of life will take place at a later date. We will miss you mother! We love you so much! Peachie received the sacrament of the sick before passing by Father Roy of Holy Rosary Church. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Peachie’s tribute page on martinfuneralhome.com.

Peachie's obituary was lovingly written by her family.