Valerie A. (Jones) Wilkinson

Valerie A. (Jones) Wilkinson, 79, passed away, February 15, 2019, peacefully in her sleep, after a long struggle with dementia. Valerie was born August 15, 1939 to the late T. Wayne and Ethel (Rainey) Jones. Valerie worked for many years as the Sales and Marketing Director for Ft Wayne Marriott Hotel. She was an active member in the community volunteering at events such as the Mad Anthony Golf Tournament, participating in the Jane Adams Club, and the Fort Wayne Women’s Guild Follies as performer and later president. She was an avid golfer even shooting a hole-in-one at the Jack Nicklaus Great Waters Golf Course in Eatonton, GA. She had many wonderful friends that she cherished. Valerie was a beautiful, fun-loving, outgoing personality who will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children; Jeff (Lisa) Friedrich, Laurie (Mark) Barela, Mark (Angela) Friedrich and her grandchildren; Jessica (Ryan) Misiak, Alex (Lauren) Friedrich, Megan (Tyler) Barnett, Arie Friedrich, Olivia Friedrich, Lily Friedrich, Alayna Barela, Jenay Barela, Marcus (Lauren) Barela and great grandchildren; Kennedy and Avery Friedrich, Ellie and Levi Misiak, Lucas Hart, and Matthew Barela, and by her brother Stanley (Skip) Lyford-Jones. Valerie was preceded in death by her husband Lee “Butch” Wilkinson. Funeral services 11:00am, Friday, February 22, 2019, with calling one hour prior to service at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home 8325 Covington Rd Ft Wayne, Indiana. Calling also Thursday, 5 to 8 at the funeral home. Burial Covington Memorial Gardens. Memorial may be made to: Hospice and The Hearth at Sycamore Village to the dedicated staff who greatly helped in our mom's fight against dementia. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.mccombandsons.com