Submitted by: Dan Rich

Valeria E. Stevens

March 18, 1914 - Jan. 18, 2001

South Bend Tribune 1/20/2001

Valeria E. Stevens, 86, of Valparaiso, Ind., formerly of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 18, in her residence. Mrs. Stevens was born on March 18, 1914, in Mishawaka as the daughter of the late Basil and Leontine (Neuland) DeVreese.

On Nov. 28, 1934, in Mishawaka, as the former Valeria DeVreese, she married Omer J. Stevens. He preceded her in death on Aug. 15, 1973. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Julius DeVreese and a sister-in-law, Catherine DeVreese. She is survived by a son, Richard R. (Linda) Stevens Sr. of Valparaiso; a granddaughter, Veronica L. (Louis) Meinecke of Portage, Ind.; a grandson, Richard R. Stevens Jr. of Valparaiso; seven great-grandchildren, Nicole, John, Dustin, Ricky, Danny, Rachel and Erika; a brother, Emil (Peg) DeVreese of Mishawaka. Mrs. Stevens was a volunteer at Porter Memorial Hospital Guild for several years. She was a member of the Rosary Society at St. Bavo's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, and also a member of the Alter Society at St. Bavo's.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, in St. Bavo's Catholic Church, with Rev. Barry England officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Osceola, Ind. In lieu of flowers Mrs. Stevens' family request memorials be made to the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice of Port County, 501 Marguette Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383.