Valerie Hargraves

Valerie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, #1 sister, aunt, godmother, and dear friend. She loved life and treasured her family. Valerie met the love of her life, Randy, as a freshman at Belleville West. After dating for five years they were married on August 9, 1975. For the next 40 years they were inseparable attending countless parties, picnics, parades and family functions. She passionately followed sporting events with the Cardinals, Blues and Rams. Valerie loved the beach, shopping, baking cookies and spoiling her grandchildren.

Valerie dedicated her life to raising her family. She was extremely active in her children's lives and participated in the PTO, Room Mother's Club, Sports Boosters, Band Parents, and Junior Women's club.

Valerie loved spending Holidays with her family. Christmas and Halloween were her favorites. She prided herself in decorating her home and garden. She loved soap operas, TV shows and movies. She and Randy would often watch shows into the early morning hours. Valerie was never happier than when watching a good show with a "jack and coke" in her hand and her golden retriever, Harvey, by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jerry and Betty, nee Moore, Hoffmann and her grandmother Anita, nee Bartelbort, Hoffmann.

She is survived by her beloved husband Randy and two daughters, Holley (George) Aplin and Brittney (Grant) Mechlin. She was "YiYi" to four precious grandchildren; Jerry Aplin, Bree Aplin, Violet Aplin, and Josie Mechlin. Also surviving are her loving sister Gayla (Stan) VanSant and nephew and Godson Ian VanSant, Brother-in-law Rick Hargraves and nephew Chris (Laura) Hargraves. She will be deeply missed by family and countless friends whose lives she touched.

Memorials in Valerie’s memory may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society, 1301 S. 11th St., Belleville, IL 62226 or the American Lung Association, 3000 Kelly Lane, Springfield, IL 62711. Online condolences may be expressed at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 on Monday, July 25, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL 62223.

Funeral: Services will be at 10:00 on Tuesday, July 26 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Jimerson officiating.

Interment will be in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.