Florence Ruth Velker Pioch, age 92, of Wallace and formerly of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania died Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Huntington HealthCare.

She was born February 8, 1916 in Toledo, Ohio and was the daughter of the late Frederick and Truey Watkins Velker. She was also predeceased by her husband of sixty-five years, Raymond Charles Pioch.

Mrs. Pioch was an art illustrator for department stores in Toledo, OH and New York City. In 2001 she moved to North Carolina to be near her family. She enjoyed fine art, water and oil painting and gardening. Being a dedicated mother and wife, she will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Surviving are her children, John R. Pioch and wife, Robin of Windsor, NY, James W. Pioch of Wallace and Joan C. Pioch-Byrd and husband, Carl, also of Wallace; grandchildren, Nicholas Pioch, Andy Pioch and Molly Pioch; great grandchildren, Thomas Pioch, Mark Pioch and Kate Pioch and sister, Virginia Stein of Newport Richey, FL.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Wallace Chapel.

Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park, Watha.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, October 24, 2008 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Wallace.