Velma L. Deshane's Obituary
Velma DeShane, age 70, of Unionville, Missouri passed away at her home on February 4, 2009.
Velma was born November 23, 1938, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Siard) Perkins in Weston, Missouri. She married Leon DeShane December 13, 1962 in Liberty Missouri. When Velma was a child she worked in the tobacco fields. Her family moved to Louisiana, MO and this is where Velma attended school. Her father worked for Starks Nursery in the 1950's. She met Leon in Louisiana and they later moved to the Quad Cities where Leon worked for John Deere. Velma was a mother, housewife and also worked for Avon, Beeline clothing store, and Luciani's Restaurant in Rapid City where she was a bookkeeper and manager. Later, she was the manager for Git and Go convenience store for 3 years. Velma and Leon moved to Unionville, MO in 1994. She loved to crochet, collect doll heads and glass. Her and Leon owned and operated a craft & antique shop on their homestead in Unionville. Velma was a loving and caring mother, as well as a kind and generous friend to those around her. Her lighthearted nature was in inspiration to the lives that she touched . Velma's talents were considerable and she enjoyed sharing those with others. Despite numerous illnesses she always managed to maintain her cheery and positive nature.
Velma is survived by her five children, Barbara VanErstVelde (special friend Brian Johnston) of Junction City, KS, Diana (Greg) Opolka of Macon, GA, Roberta (William) Bruner of Cordova, IL, Deborah (Robert) Howard of Unionville, MO, and Leon (Linda) DeShane Jr. of Hillsdale, IL; nine grandchildren, Teri (John) York, Justine DeClerk, Eric Meier, Amy Meier, Nicole Everitt, Amanda Kirkland, Lance DeShane, Logan DeShane, Lauren DeShane; and nine great-grandchildren. Velma is also survived by her brother, William (Gayle) Perkins of Austin, MN, brother, James (Penny) Conner of Clarksville, MO, and a sister, Verna (Curtis) Rose of Tampa, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Francis Early of Unionville, MO; and aunt Goldie Rainey of Ward, Arkansas.
Funeral services will be held 1 PM, Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Pastor Joe Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at the Shipley Cemetery, north of Hartford, Missouri. A visitation will be held Friday at the funeral home with family present from 5-7 PM. A memorial has been established to the American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
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