Ramona Viola (Etchey) Thompson

Ramona Viola Artley Thompson, 90, passed away January 28, 2021 at Augusta Nursing Center in Fishersville, VA.  She was born January 28, 1931 to Goldie Marie (Brantley) Etchey and Wayne Leroy Etchey in Three Rivers, MI.  She married William A. Artley November 19, 1949 who passed away in 1968.  She later married Verl A. Thompson in 1970 who passed away in 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Forrest G. Nusbaum, and sister Waynalene Sue Newell.  She is survived by her children John (Nancy) Artley of Swoope, VA; Marilee (Michael) Newman of Carmel, IN; and Alan Artley of Grayson, GA.   She is also survived by her step-children Diana (Bruce) Giggy of Bristol, IN, Daniel (Margie) Thompson of Napa, CA and Joseph (Connie) Thompson of Middlebury, IN.  She was a proud grandmother of 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, homemaker and loyal friend, she also was a tireless caregiver.   Throughout her life, she worked as a nurse’s aide, personal assistant and medical transcriptionist at Elkhart General Hospital until she retired at 67.  She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, cooking, reading and church activities but most of all spending time with her family.   She crocheted afghans for each child and always prepared our favorite meal when we visited.

Ramona was a charter member of Hillcrest United Methodist Church and remained active there until she moved to Virginia in 2015.

Because of the current Covid-19 pandemic, after careful consideration of friends and extended family, the family will have a private family graveside service.  Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting with arrangements.  Feel free to reach out on the funeral home website at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 4206 East Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN 46514.