Violet E. Meyer, age 92, of Escanaba, died Tuesday, December 26th, 2006, at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba.

Violet was born in Escanaba on February 7th, 1914 to French-Canadian parents, Philip and Rose Baribeau and she lived in north Escanaba most of her life. Being the second of ten children, she helped with raising her younger siblings; even hiring out to do housework to help with family expenses.

Violet married John W. Meyer on November 12th, 1935 in Escanaba. They lived for a time in Milwaukee, WI and also in Muskegon, MI, where thy both worked in a factory during World War II. They had two children, Joan and George, both born in Escanaba.

She worked at the “Venus Sewing Factory” in Escanaba, where she sewed ladies’ garments, and was a member of the I.L.G.W.U. (International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union) during the early 1950’s. She was an excellent seamstress and kept her children well-dressed by sewing all of their clothing when they were youngsters. 

Violet has always been a Detroit Tiger Baseball fan and a die-hard fan of both the Tigers and the Green Bay Packers. One of the high-points in her life would have to have been to actually attend a Detroit Tiger Baseball game in Detroit with her daughter.

After her husband, John, passed away in August of 1971, Violet went to work at the “Escanaba Steam Laundry” until she retired at 65 years of age. She was very proud of her ability to be independent after she retired. She enjoyed golfing, playing “Bingo”, attending church, going to rummage sales wither sister, and walking around the shopping centers.

Her Cooking specialty was always “escalloped potatoes and ham”, followed by her homemade soup. In addition, she always enjoyed reading, especially romance and mystery stories. She also owned her own car for many years and enjoyed driving.

Survivors of Violet E. Meyer include:

1 Son- George Meyer of Green Bay, WI

1 Daughter- Joan (Victor) Zar of Rapid River

3 Sisters- Agnes Baribeau of Escanaba; Freda Whitlow of Escanaba; Virginia (Frank) Schmitt of Rapid River

She is the grandmother of four girls and one boy; and she is a great-grandmother of nine girls and seven boys, ages 12 years to 25 years. She also has 3 great-great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, John, she was preceded in death by 4 brothers; Ernest, John, William, and George Baribeau and by 3 sisters; Rose Johnson, Irene Cole, and Amma Clairmont.

The family of Violet E. Meyer will receive friends on Saturday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow Saturday 11:30 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Rapid River. Luncheon will follow services at the St. Charles Parish Hall. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery; Escanaba.

The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Meyer family.