Valerie Rose Wireman

Valerie Rose Wireman, affectionately known as a "war baby," was born on January 27, 1945, in Bethnal Green, England, during the final months of World War II. As bombs fell over London, her grandmother carried her to safety-an act of courage that made Valerie one of the only members of her family to survive the war. An only child, she returned to the United States with her mother after the war. Valerie often shared that she quite literally owed her life to a pint of Guinness-her parents first met in England during the war while her father was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and it was over a pint that their story began. Valerie passed away on August 28, 2025, in Lafayette, Indiana, at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose Murray and Emmitt Bledsoe. In 1965, Valerie married the love of her life, Kenneth Ray. Together they shared more than six decades of love, family, and partnership. For over 34 years, they owned and operated Lafayette Frame and Alignment, where Valerie managed the office with skill and dedication while also raising their boys. Valerie was the devoted mother of Roger (Amy) of Lafayette, IN; Randy (Scott) of Indianapolis, IN; and Ronnie (Tina) of Otterbein, IN. Her family was her greatest pride, and her love extended deeply to her grandchildren: Ev, Charlie, Kenny, Tristan, Austin, and Shantel, as well as her great-grandson, Hayden. Known for her cooking, she was especially celebrated for her chuck roast and her legendary brownies-recipes her family will always treasure, though her daughter-in-law often admitted she could never quite master the brownies. She and Kenneth enjoyed vacationing in Florida for more than thirty years, but Valerie also cherished trips out west, where she admired the landscapes and found peace in the wide-open spaces. She loved music of every kind, with a particular fondness for the sounds of the 1960s, and she never missed an opportunity to dance or take a chance on a winning slot machine. A woman of Christian faith, Valerie drew strength and comfort from her belief in God, which guided her throughout her life. She will be remembered for her warmth, her humor, her devotion to family, and the strength she carried from her earliest days as a child of war. Valerie's legacy lives on in the love she gave and the memories she created. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to shine through the family she cherished and the many lives she touched. Services will be held Tuesday September 9, 2025 at Tippecanoe Funeral and Cremation Services 1671 W. 350 N. West Lafayette, In. 47906 Visitation at 11am, Service at 12pm, burial immediately following at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens 1718 W. 350 N. West Lafayette, In. 47906 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Valerie, please visit our Tree Store.