May, Valerie M. Midland, Michigan Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister and Friend went to be with our Lord on December 31, 2014 surrounded by her loving family at Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland. Born Valerie Marie Morgan to the late Paul Morgan and Marie Sorensen in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 11, 1931, she attended Grand Rapids High School and moved to Saginaw in 1958. Valerie married the love of her life Richard May in 1982, he preceded her in death in 1987. Valerie spent the majority of her life as an honored member of the American Gold Star Mothers and also served as National President. She spent endless hours promoting the understanding of the Gold Star Mothers, the Vietnam Wall along with the Traveling Wall, and the military and its sacrifices made throughout the history of the wars. In her many roles and responsibilities she became well-known throughout the nation, and was "Mom" to thousands. During her many years with the Gold Star Mothers, she attended several functions at the White House, meeting past presidents and members of Congress, and traveled often to Washington D.C. along with many other parts of the United States and Vietnam. In spite of her many commitments with the Gold Star Mothers her family always remained first as she was a devoted Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and friend. She will be missed dearly by her children, Ivy (Ron) Jeffery, Dennis (Iris) Northouse, Marcia (Charles) Cottle, Ronnie (Floyd) Steiner, Wayne (Buffy) Pinnell, Jeffery (Dawn) Pinnell and Kodee Pinnell; her grandchildren, William (Jamie) Bardin, Heather Jeffery, Jennifer Schempf Hargrove, Laurie Northouse, Rhonda Stuart, Shawn (Cottle) Rigg, Tina (Brion) Tash, Anna (Rick) Switzer, Carrie and Timmy Young, Ashley Young-Pinnell, Nick Garcia, Christopher Pinnell, Austin Pinnell, Kyle Pinnell, and Cazmeree Sebok; her great-grandchildren Angela and David Bardin, Justyn, Coree and Kaiden Jeffery and Tobey Heykoop, Amanda Benavides, Sam Stuart, Halle and Lainey Rigg, Kennedy Loose, McKenzie and Skylar Switzer; her many great-great-grandchildren and a special friend, Myrtis Lowery. her sisters, Geri Sorenson and Sue Okvath; and her brother, Ronnie Morgan. Valerie was predeceased by her son, Rollie Northouse, her sister, Sally Rittershofer and her brother, Michael Morgan.
Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at W. L. Case and Company, 4480 Mackinaw Road. Pastor Richard Sayad will officiate with burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. till time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to the family. www.casefuneralhome.com
Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603
