Viola Scherff

Viola M. Scherff, 92, formerly of Latham and California, Mo., passed away on Monday, June 21, 2010, at Tipton Oak Manor. She was born November 6, 1917, in Cooper County, Mo., the daughter of Walter H. and Virginia (Brady) Volkart. She was married July 3, 1937, to Hughes T. Scherff, who preceded her in death on June 19, 2004. She attended California High School and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, and taught school for several years. She later served as typist for Missouri Baptist Press in Jefferson City. She was secretary for the Director of Missions, Concord Baptist Association. She served 10 years as clerk for the Executive Board of the Association. She was also a board member of the Missouri Baptist Convention. She was a member of First Baptist Church of California. In 1949, she transferred her membership to Green Grove Baptist Church near Latham; in 1986 she transferred her membership back to First Baptist Church of California. She taught an adult Sunday School class for over 50 years and served as an adult Sunday School Director for Concord Baptist Association for several years. She was active throughout her life in the Women's Missionary Union (WMU) at church, Association and state level, serving as State WMU President and leading training conferences at Association, state, and national levels including Windermere, Glorieta and Ridgecrest Baptist Assemblies. She also wrote WMU skits and training articles for Missouri Baptists and had articles published in national magazines-Royal Service and Dimension. Survivors include a son, Ron Scherff and daughter-in-law Sandy, of Westcliffe, Colo.; a grandson, Eric and wife Natividad Scherff-Zamora of Albuquerque, N.M.; a granddaughter, Kirsta Scherff-Norris and husband Michael of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, Tatum Norris and Sofia Scherff-Zamora. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Luetta Scherff, of Portland, Ore., and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Geraldine Yarnell and Lucy Lee Powell; and one brother, Donald Volkart. The family would especially like to thank Sharon and Joe Koskie, and Pastor Greg Morrow for their support of Viola. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 2, 2010, at 12:00 p.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo. Burial will be in California City Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Greg Morrow. Visitation will also be on Friday, July 2, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either First Baptist Church of California Missions Program, 208 S. Oak, California, MO 65018, or to Preferred Hospice, 1900 N. Providence Rd., #311, Columbia, MO 65202. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.