Viola Marie Guffey

Viola Marie (Bunch) Guffey, 79, of Sharpsville, passed away 10:55 am Thursday May 28, 2026, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo. She was born in Kokomo, IN, on June 15, 1946, the daughter of the late Forrest and Goldie (McGuire) Bunch. On October 12, 1979, she married James “Jim” Guffey, and he survives.

Viola was a 1966 graduate of Eastern High School. She retired from Chrysler Corp. after 29 ½ years as a drill operator. She proudly and humbly served our country in the United States Army and earned the rank of E-5.  Voila received a national defense service medal and good conduct medal. She was a member of the Eastern Star Greentown Chapter #195, UAW #685, and the Eagles Auxiliary from 1967 through 2018. She was a faithful member of Beulah Land Baptist Church in Sharpsville and she held a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. Viola was a tough, hard-working, yet very sweet and caring lady. She was ultra protective of her family. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite family vacations were spent in Oklahoma or South Dakota.

In addition to her husband Jim, Viola is survived by her children, James (Laurel) Guffey Jr., Bendi (Neal) Grawcock, Polly (Stacey) Dewalt, Quincy (Sheila) Guffey; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ike Bunch, Louis Bunch, Robert Bunch, Donald Bunch, David Bunch, Leo Bunch; and sisters, Verna May Henson, Barbara Bowen, Eleanor J. Miller.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 pm to 7 pm Wednesday June 3, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service celebrating Viola’s life will begin 10:30 am with the Order of the Eastern Star, Greentown Chapter #195, Thursday June 4, 2026, at the funeral home, with Pastor Dan Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery in Kokomo. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Contributions may be made in Viola’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

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