Valrea M. Myers

Valrea M. Myers, 88, of Van Wert, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 5:26 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born May 17, 1923, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the daughter of the late Elmer A. and Bertha L. (Harrison) Winters. On January 30, 1945, she married Joseph J. Myers, who preceded her in death on February 5, 2005.

Upon graduation from Van Wert High School in 1940, Valrea attended the former Van Wert Business School and then entered the nurse’s aide program at Van Wert County Hospital. She worked in the office of the former DJ Gunsett Company and then went to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the American Red Cross. Valrea was very active in her church, having taught Sunday School, Bible School, AWANA and Home Bible Club. She was also the church clerk, president of the Ladies Missionary Society, as well as janitor and groundskeeper. She was also a Cub Scout den mother and a longtime volunteer with the Washington Elementary School PTA.

Survivors include her children, Colonel (USAF retired) James A. (Major [USAF retired] Jeanne G.) Myers of Fairborn, Carolyn S. Baker of Estero, Fla., Mary Lou (Rudy B.) Oakley of Grover Hill, Rita D. Myers of Van Wert, and Ruth Ann (Master Sergeant [USAF retired]) Kenneth) Schutz of Van Wert; a brother, Bill J. (Nancy) Winters of New Haven, Ind.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and “special family”: Lori, Alan and Ciara Baker.

A brother, Elmer J. Winters; one sister, Thelma Updegrove; a son-in-law, James R. Baker; and a great-great-grandson, Bentley Goins, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 7, at First Baptist Church in Van Wert, with Pastor Steve Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, October 6, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials: First Baptist Church.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.