In the summer of 1941 a beautiful baby girl was welcomed into the home of Glenn and Mildred Huffman. They named her Valerie Joyce, a name befitting of who she was because she truly brought much joy to many, many lives.
Her first home was in Danville, Illinois out in the countryside. Her father started off as a farmer but later decided to go into the ministry in the Evangelical United Brethren Church. As a minister’s daughter, Valerie found Locust Grove, and Paris, Illinois home.
Although she was an only child, in Valerie’s early childhood she grew up close to her many cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles and had many fond memories of time spent with them. Valerie started school in a one room classroom called Old Shake Rag School. She graduated from Paris High School and then decided to go to beauty school.
During this time she became friends with her future mother-in-law who introduced her to Paul Osborn. Paul had just returned from his service in the army and was a dashing young man whom Valerie fell in love with. They were married by Valerie’s father, Reverend Glenn Huffman in the spring of 1960. They started their life out together living in Paris and then moved onto Urbana where they had their first child, a beautiful baby girl whom they named Donna Kay. A few years later they moved to Bloomington where they had a cute baby boy named Michael Paul. With different job changes they eventually settled down in Champaign, Illinois and made that their home for 50 years.
During those many years in that home they experienced many joys and sorrows, challenges and growth. It was in that home that they found a new faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They raised their children and sent them on missions and to college. Then they entered into the wonderful adventure of grandparenthood. She and Paul made many trips to Arizona to be involved in her 5 grandchildren’s lives. Her grandchildren felt very loved by their grandmother.
Valerie had many talents. She loved to cook and bake, crochet, write novels, poems and tell stories. Valerie ventured into authorship and authored 5 books. She loved finding recipes and trying out new things. Her children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends were the recipients of delicious pies, cakes, cookies and wonderful meals. She made beautiful baby blankets, snowflakes and doilies to name a few. Probably one of Valerie’s greatest talents was that of being a friend. She befriended so many. She took so many people, adults and children alike, under her wing and loved and cared for them. She loved giving gifts and cards. It brought her so much joy to bring happiness into others lives. We thank Valerie for giving her all to all. She will be greatly missed.
A visitation for Valerie will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Sun Valley Ward Stake Center, 12951 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345. A funeral service will occur Friday, September 17, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 12951 N 83rd Ave, Peoria, AZ. A committal service will occur Monday, September 20, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at National Memorial Veteran Cemetery of Arizona.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Osborn family.
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