This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AUI.2ACIB/197 Message Board Post: Albuquerque Journal - June 3, 1998 Violet E. Chamberlin, 86, a resident of Rio Communities for 21 years, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 1998, at her home after an extended illness with cancer. She was a violent fighter! Violet was born August 4, 1911, to Lewis and Minnie (Strong) Whetsell. Formerly of Mattoon, IL, Violet had also resided in Los Alamos for 23 years. She was an active member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Vi was retired from the radiology department of Los Alamos New Mexico Hospital. She moved to Rio Communities where she and her husband, Don, joined the Tierra del Sol County Club, where they became avid golfers. Vi was a member of the Women's Golf Association and was active in many tournaments and won many awards. Vi was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Howard and Billy Whetsell. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 1/2 years, Don of the family home in Belen; children, Mary Ann White and husband, Charles of Mattoon, IL, Martha Alice Huffington and husband, Richard ! of Minier, IL, and John Chamberlin of Belen. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Vi is also survived by her sisters, Albertine Krause of Belleville, IL, Betty Whetsell of Chicago, IL, and Pauline Furry and husband, Kenney of Mattoon, IL; and brother, James Whetsell and wife, Thelma of Mattoon, IL; sister-in-law, Ethel Whetsell of Manhattan, KS; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Also, a funeral Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mattoon, IL, on Thursday, June 11, 1998. Interment will take place in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, in Mattoon, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Vi's name to Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, 101 N. 10th, Belen, NM. Special thanks to Ambercare Hospice, in Belen, for their compassion and helpfulness. Special thanks also to Maggi! e Wyman and aide, Violet White, as well as Fr. Tom Greaney, OSM, from Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, for his spiritual guidance. Arrangements entrusted to Romero Funeral Home in Belen.