Valerie C. Broers

Valerie C. Broers passed away January 25, 2017. Born Valerie Devine in Cleveland, Ohio, to Mervin and Ethel (Kalal) Devine, Big Val was indomitable, a force to be reckoned with, and her family is bereft without their matriarch. Valerie, who was her high school's valedictorian, attended Wittenberg College and later earned a nursing degree after she raised her four daughters. She was a bridge player and worldwide traveler, loved reading and was a devotee of well-written mysteries. In a lifetime of volunteer work, she amassed countless thousands of hours of hospital work at Belleville Memorial and also volunteered at the Belleville library. During her husband's Air Force career, she volunteered in support of base hospitals and dental clinics. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Deryl D. Broers of Belleville, Ill.; four daughters, Kathy Kitterman of Manhattan, Kan. (Joe Kitterman); Karen Osborn of Arlington, Va. (Bill Newton); Kim Broers of Kansas City, Mo. (Andie Swan); and Kelley Pruden of Belleville, Ill. (Juan Boldizsar); eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Mom was passionate in her support of groups that advocate for the less fortunate; in lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her name to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, or the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Save the Date: We invite Val's friends to join us for a family visitation at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, with a brief memorial service following. Come help us salute the inimitable, crusty and much beloved Valerie Carol Broers. We'd love it if you would wear bright colors to celebrate her life.