EATON, IN
Valerie L. Lechien, 53, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family after courageously battling Multiple Myeloma for the past year.
Valerie was born on February, 26, 1958 in Hartford City to Robert G. Cross and Sandra R. Howell. She lived as a young girl in Zionsville, IN., moving to Eaton, IN at the age of 6 where she remained for most of her adult life. She graduated from Delta High School in 1976 and from Ivy Tech School of Nursing in 1997. On November 20, 1976 she married Mark Lechien at the First Christian Church in Eaton.
She was a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She worked as a nurse from 1997 until her death. She was employed as a surgical nurse from 2000 to 2011; at the time of her illness she served as a nurse for the Family Practice Residency Center of IU Health, Ball Memorial Hospital. She was a member of “Indy Surviveoars” (INSO), breast cancer survivors dragon boat racing team and traveled all over the United States & Canada to compete. She competed in the World Championships in Peterbrough, ON, Canada in 2010 where her team finished 1st in their division.
Valerie is a member of the Gathering Church in Muncie. She enjoyed gardening, tending her flowers, and traveling. She most enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years Mark A. Lechien, two sons, Marc A. Lechien and Derrick A. Lechien (wife, Cassie), her grandchildren: Ethan Lechien, Elijah Lechien, Braedon Lechien, Isabella Lechien, and Sophia Lechien. Her father and mother-in-law, Richard M. And arolyn S. Lechien, her father, Robert G. Cross (wife, Becky), and mother, Sandra R. Howell, three brothers: Trent Cross (wife, Patricia), Marty Cross, and Rodney Cross, brothers-in-law Marty Lechien (wife, Elaine), Monty Lechien (wife, Kris), a sister-in-law, Marcy McCormack (husband, Matt), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Friday, December 23, 2011 at the Pitman-Richman Funeral Home, 200 S. Hartford St., Eaton with Pastor Joshua Brandt officiating. Burial will follow at the Hartford City Cemetery.
Visitation for friends and family will be held at the funeral home from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, December 22 and one hour prior to services Friday.
As a memorial to Valerie’s life, memorials may be sent to: Indy Surviveoars (INSO), 9664 Nautilus Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46256 or IU Foundation - Multiple Myeloma Research, P.O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at IU Health at both Ball Hospital in Muncie and University Hospital in Indianapolis; the Indy Surviveoars and the many friends who have supported her through this journey.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.watersfuneralhomes.com.
