Velva Ann Effler

It is with great sadness that the family of Velva Ann Bickford Effler, report her death occurring on September 19, 2025, at the age of 83, following a 9 year struggle and complications related with dementia.
Velva always demonstrated a soft, calm and consistent dementia. No time during that sad dementia time did any change in her demeanor occur.
Velva was born on May 17, 1942 to Hillary and Alice Bardwell Bickford. At age 19, she married Johnny Effler, and at age 20, accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. She led a fruitful and fulfilling life as a Second grade School Teacher and later a Prinicipal in the Picayune School District.
Her survivors include her husband of 64 years, Johnny Effler (who she met and dated during her high school years); her only son, Jeffery Effler; three grandchildren, Justin (Candace) Stasik, Chance Effler, and Breanna (Chris) Jochum; along with seven great grandchildren, Skylar Stasik, Bella Jochum, Bowen Jochum, Beckam Jochum, Ezra Effler, Macy Stasik, and S.J. Stasik; and two sisters, Hillary June Bickford (Virgil) Allen and Carleen Bickford Bridges Rouse.
Preceding Velva in death were her parents, paternal grandparents, Edward and Dolly Bickford; maternal grandparents, Alfred and Mabel Bardwell, along with an infant brother, Franklin Bickford, only brother, Ronald Bickford, and her only daughter, Chantel Effler Stasik Miller.
Velva enjoyed her 26 years of retirement while traveling extensively in the USA and nearly 20 international countries.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 22, 2025 from 10 am to 11am at McDonald Funeral Home, followed with burial at New Palestine Cemetery.
Rev. Matt Mays will be officiating the services.