Viola Mae Harris

Born August 22, 1934 in Peoria to John and Violet (Kelley) Worley, she married Verne E. Harris on April 5, 1952 in East Peoria. He died October 14, 2016 in Morton. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Gail Lynn Bort; one infant daughter, Connie Harris and four brothers, Jack Worley, Junior Worley, Richard Worley and Fred Worley.

Surviving are two daughters, Brenda Lyles of Morton and Terri (Steve) Knobeloch of East Peoria; her son-in-law, Robert “Rob” Bort of Washington; eight grandchildren, Dan Bort, Jason (Carrie) Lyles, both of Washington, Michelle (Jeff) Gabris of Shorewood, Brad (Katy) Lyles of Whitestown, Indiana, Derek (Amy) Knobeloch of East Peoria, Hollie (Ryan) Brennemann of LeRoy, Ryan (Tomi) Knobeloch of East Peoria and Shelby (Ryan) Martin of Washington; sixteen great-grandchildren, Jacob Gabris, Emily (Zay) Gabris, Alysa Bort, Carter Bort, Dakoda Jaxson Brennemann, Londyn Cheyenne Brennemann, Ahria Quinn Lyles, Madison Kinley Lyles, Baylie Kendall Lyles, Brooklyn Jade Lyles, Peyton Ryan Lyles, Zoey Faye Knobeloch, James Louise Knobeloch, Gunner Eldon Knobeloch, Annabelle Lynn Martin and Ruth Eileen Martin; two sisters-in-law, Iris Harris of Salmon, Idaho and Sherry (David) Mudd of Tremont and many nieces and nephews.

Viola retired as a factory worker for Key Industries in East Peoria. .

Her faith was a meaningful part of her life. She was a founding member of Faith Christian Centre in Washington and served various roles in the children's ministry by writing and performing puppet skits and in the clown ministry.

Above all, Viola was family centered, and her legacy lives on in the love she gave. Viola found joy in simple pleasures such as caring for her parakeet, Chip, and feeding raccoons at night.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026 at Revive Church in East Peoria. Pastor Robert Finley will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral Friday at the church. Burial will follow in Smithville Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

The family would like to thank her hospice nurse, Stephanie at Richard Owens, and later Dominique, her nurse, at Washington Senior Living for their loving care for mom.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com