Viva Loreen Hall McConnellCALDWELL: Viva Loreen Hall McConnell, 90, of Caldwell, died on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at the Highland Oakes Health Center in McConnelsville.Daughter of the late George F. and Gladys Elliott Hall, she was born on January 20, 1924, on her parents' farm in Morgan County.Also preceding her in death were her husband, Herschel Eugene "Dick" McConnell, whom she married on May 23, 1942, and who died on January 8, 1985; her infant daughter, Jenny Kay McConnell, who was born and died on September 1, 1965; and two younger sisters, Hela Hall Voges and Marjorie Hall Apperson.She graduated as Valedictorian of her class from Manchester High School in Reinersville, Ohio in 1941. In 1942, she graduated from Marietta Business Institute and began her career working for the Airolite Company in Marietta as a secretary. During World War II, she worked at the Crosley Corporation in Cincinnati, one of many factories in the United States which changed its production lines to make products to support our war efforts. In 1946, her husband was honorably discharged from the Army and they returned to Morgan County where she worked as a bookkeeper for the Triplett Broom Shop in McConnelsville, owned and operated by a blind man, Floyd Triplett. In 1958, they moved to Caldwell when Dick and Elvin Brown became business partners in the grocery business. They purchased City Market on West Street, and later built Gateway Market in order to accommodate their growing business.Once her children were in school, Viva returned to office work while attending Muskingum Area Technical College to study accounting. She worked for David Fleming and William Parks, accountants, and for Homer Larrick in the guidance office at Caldwell High School. Upon retirement, she volunteered her services as the bookkeeper of the Samaritan House until her health began to decline.She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, blood donor, a Band Mother, a volunteer at Caldwell Elementary School, and a patron of the Southeastern Ohio Symphony. She was also a member of the Caldwell Church of Christ, Business and Professional Women, former Amazon Chapter #30 Order of the Eastern Star, the Women's Missionary Society, the Caldwell Honors for Students Organization, the Noble County Curley Cues, and the Narcissist Club. She enjoyed motorhome camping, traveling, baking, and doting on her grandchildren. Even though she industriously cared for her family, supported her community, and tended to others in need, her greatest contribution to this world was her never wavering desire to exemplify the life of a devout Christian.She is survived by her sister, Mary Ruth Motz of McConnelsville; three sons and two daughters: Daniel Dick (Kathy) McConnell of Bald Head Island, North Carolina, R. Ted (Amie) McConnell of McConnelsville, Kelly Herb (Connie) McConnell of Caldwell, Mary Lou (Mike) Podlasiak of Caldwell and Jane Ann (Michael) Roessler of Zanesville. Also surviving are: 14 granddaughters, Emily (Richard) Crespin, Julie (David) King, Kristen (Reid) Smith-Vaniz, Jenna Moody, Lindsey (Benjamin) Moeller, Tess (Kris) Born, Megan McConnell, Katie (John) Payne, Kylie Johnson, Mallory Swope, Erica Roessler, Megan Roessler, Kristin Roessler, and Kaylin Roessler; two grandsons, Matthew (Angela) McConnell and Rob McConnell; three great-granddaughters, Abby Crespin, Elle Wathen, and Sheridan Smith-Vaniz; six great-grandsons, Rex Crespin, Daniel "Duke" Crespin, Ted Moody, Tyler Moody, Harrison Moeller, and Liam Born; nieces and nephews and their families, Sue Brammer, Sandy Wilhelm, Tony Apperson, Tom Apperson, Jalee Apperson, Viva Russell, Cindy Shuster, and Jill Motz. She will also be missed by many friends, her church family at the Caldwell Church of Christ, and the residents at Riverside Landing Assisted Living in McConnelsville where she had resided since January when her health began to decline.Friends will be received Friday, September 12th, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with Eastern Star services beginning at 7:45 at the Chandler Funeral Home, 609 West Street, Caldwell, Ohio 43724. A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 13th at 11:00 a.m. in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Garrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Sharon Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Caldwell High School Choir, Band, or Honors for Students Organization at 516 Fairground Street, or the Caldwell Church of Christ at 104 Cumberland Street, Caldwell, Ohio 43724. To send flowers or leave words of comfort for the family, please visit the funeral home's web site at www.ChandlerFuneralHome.net or by calling our caring staff at 732-1311.