Viola Pearl Bradshaw, 95, of Ashland, IL, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Springfield IL.

Viola was born July 6, 1931, in Salisbury, to Elsie (Hopwood) and Gilbert Batterton. Her father died when she was a toddler, and Elsie then married George Janssen, who became Viola’s father in every sense of the word. Viola married John Franklin Bradshaw on December 31, 1950, and he preceded her in death on January 14, 1986.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet McNally of E. Peoria; one granddaughter, Megan (Adam) Cunningham, her two sweet great grandsons, Jameson Cunningham and Dominic Cunningham, all of Lake Oswego, OR; one sister, Betty Smith of Broken Arrow, OK; two brothers, Glen (Connie) Janssen of Chesterton IN, and Art (Nancy) Janssen of Watseka; several nieces and nephews; her special neighbors who became like family; and her cat, Honey. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Harry (and his wife Pauline) and Russell Janssen; and her son-in- law, Daniel McNally.

Viola graduated from Pleasant Plains High School. After graduation she worked with her mother in a housecleaning business for many families in the Springfield area. With encouragement from her husband, John, she started decorating cakes. She and her friend Bev started a cake decorating and catering business, serving many families over their many years together. After she stopped catering, she became known as the “cookie” lady, baking hundreds of cookies per year. Her last event was baking cookies for a wedding in her back yard in September 2026. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ashland.

A funeral service will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11am, at the First Baptist Church in Ashland. The family will meet friends from 10am until time of service. Burial is scheduled for 2pm at Camp Butler National Cemetery the same day. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Ashland First Baptist Church or Godspeed Pet Rescue of Ashland. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.