Valerie Ann Gaylor

Valerie (Gasko) Gaylor of Cassopolis, Michigan, age 69, passed away surrounded by her loving family on March 25 at Elkhart General Hospital following a short illness.

She was born on February 14,1956 in South Bend, Indiana to Benjamin and Lucille Gasko. Val graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1974. She continued on to receive her undergraduate degree (1979) and Doctor of Pharmacy (1985) at Purdue University. She worked at St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend, IN and Witham Hospital in Lebanon, IN. She was the President of Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, a member of the Pharmacists Recovery Network, and earned the 2017 College of Pharmacy Women’s Leadership Award.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 40 years, John, four children, Joseph (Lynsey), J.D. (Tanya), Jennifer (Aaron) Metzler, and Julie (Matt) Serge; grandchildren, John Benjamin, Mavis, Mason, Lucille, Olivia, and Riley; favorite dog, Jax and grand dogs; sister, Mira Gasko; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Michael (Nancy) Gasko; sister-in-law, JoAnn Hopkins and extended family and many friends whom she loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents and mother-in-law, Barbara Phillips.

Val was the best wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, but her absolute favorite role was being “Yaya” to her six grandchildren. She made it a point to always be there for them. They were her absolute world. Before her grandkids, she was very involved in her children’s lives. She was active in PTO at Carmel Elementary and attended every hockey, volleyball, and band competition. She was always very proud of her children. She loved spending time with her family and friends on Diamond Lake. She especially enjoyed Mom’s Weekends and fun times with her Girlfriends of America. Val loved to travel. Her favorite destination was wintering in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. She and John enjoyed many happy hours followed by watching the unforgettable sunsets on the Gulf. Being a competitive person, pickleball became a primary hobby in her life. Above all, she was the biggest Purdue fan. You could always find her pacing and cheering behind the couch for football and basketball games. BOILER UP!

All are welcome to honor Valerie’s life on April 5, 2025. A Visitation will begin at 12pm EST with a funeral mass starting at 1pm, both taking place at St. Casimir Catholic Church, 1302 W Dunham Street, South Bend, IN. A Celebration of Life will follow at M R Falcon’s Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Casimir Catholic Church (South Bend, IN), St. Ann’s Catholic Church (Cassopolis, MI), or The American Heart Association.