Valerie Sue 'Val' Upchurch

RICHMOND, Ind. – Valerie Sue ‘Val’ Upchurch, age 55, of Richmond, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, surrounded by her loving family and friends after a courageous nine year battle with breast cancer. Born November 1, 1960, in Richmond, Indiana, to Dudley Gene and Elaine Lee Goodwin, Val was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a 1979 graduate of Richmond High School. Val had worked for many years as an orthodontic assistant to Dr. Gerald Ackerman and most recently had worked in the office at B&F Plastics, Inc. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Val was the family organizer, whether it be vacations, holiday dinners, or just ‘come on over to watch the game.’ She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, and her priority was to make sure that everyone had a great time. She loved to exercise, participating in everything from the Mini-Marathon to local 5-K runs, bike rides, and her favorite spinning classes. Survivors include her daughter, Stephanie (Toddrae) Holland of Richmond; son, Matthew (Heather King) Belbin of Richmond; three grandsons, Bryson and Camden Holland and new baby, Brantley Belbin; parents; sister, Natalie (Tony) Kirkman of Richmond; brother, Brian Goodwin of Richmond; three nieces, Brittany (Michael) Stewart of Richmond, Amanda (Cody) Drook of Richmond, and Bailey Goodwin of Indianapolis; one nephew, Cody (Beth Kattenhorn) Kirkman of Bluffton, South Carolina; great-nieces; great-nephews; and her special angel friend, Terry Smarrelli. The family would like to thank Dr. Kathy Miller and the staff at IU Simon Cancer Center for their loving and compassionate care over the last nine years and Reid Health Hospice for helping to keep her comfortable on her journey home. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Harry and Estelle Lee and paternal grandparents, Robert B. and Ione Goodwin. Visitation for Valerie Sue ‘Val’ Upchurch will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, Wayne County Unit, 5635 West 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278 and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 3500 DePauw Blvd., Suite 2070, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Valerie Sue 'Val' Upchurch

November 1, 1960 - February 23, 2016