Valerie E. Jones

 Valerie E. Jones, 64, sadly passed away September 25, 2025 from unexpected natural causes. She was born December 30, 1960 in Peoria, IL to Ronald and Verlee Jones, and grew up in Grayslake Il. Ever since she was a little girl, Valerie had a very strong love of family. She always wanted to know how everyone was doing, what they were up to, what gifts they received for Christmas or birthdays, how the kids were doing in school and their activities, even how all the dogs were and did they get their walk. She found much comfort in knowing her family was safely home after travels, even if it was just a short trip. She was a good friend, Aunt, sister, and daughter. She had the best laugh. It was contagious and giggly. She was a wonderful pianist. In her younger years she would attend competitions and play out a classical sonatina by memory on the piano like nobody's business. She loved playing the flute throughout her school career, including Jr. High, high school and college. She graduated from Grayslake High school in 1979. As well as playing the flute in concert and marching band, Valerie was very active in her high school's theater program. She performed on stage and worked behind the scenes on many productions. She attended Illinois State University and earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. While in college, she performed in their marching band, The Big Red Marching Machine. Her family loved watching her march out intricate formations while playing the flute on the football field. In addition to being a member of the United Protestant Church in Grayslake, Valerie was active in the ISU Wesley Foundation Methodist campus. Her faith was very important to her. She held the Secretary/Chairperson for some time, had many friends there, sometimes made meals on Sunday nights for the foundation, and enjoyed all the activities she could. After graduating, Valerie became a long term substitute, as well as short term sub, and then a full time Preschool teacher. She always loved working with children and used her musical talents by creating a music class for the nursery school. A bit later in life she earned her Paralegal training certificate as a lawyer's assistant from Roosevelt University and worked at a law office in Waukegan. Valerie was always up for a good movie, a family dinner, a board game, or  classic 1960s or 1970s sitcom or who-done-it show. She was a whiz at sitcom trivia. Later in life she had some challenges, but even though she could not move as well as before, she was an avid reader and enjoyed many genres, especially a great mystery. It would be an understatement to say Valerie loved coffee. SHE LOVED COFFEE. She appreciated the joy of small things. Snapdragons were her favorite flower and she loved planting them with mom. She loved blue. She loved cats and dogs. She loved the summer family vacations in the pop-up camper. She loved banana pancakes. She loved a beautiful sunrise. She loved the little bird that would visit her bedroom window in the morning. Most of all she loved her family and friends. Valerie is loved, and will be missed so very much. She can now be with her mother and father whom she missed dearly. 

Valerie is survived by her siblings Jeff (Laurie) Jones, Vickie (Gordon) Held, and Virginia (Shawn) Fitzgerald, her nieces and nephews Michelle (Eric) Regners, Corinne (Tony) Collier, Kurt Jones, Emily Held, Elise Held, Anthony (fiance Hannah) Fitzgerald, Ben (fiance Aly) Fitzgerald, and Adam Fitzgerald, and her great-nephews Walter Collier and Arthur Collier.  She was preceded in death by her parents Ron and Verlee Jones.

A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 8:00am until 10:00am with the funeral service commencing at 10:00am.  Interment will follow the service at Avon Centre Cemetery in Grayslake.

For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.