My sister’s Obituary

published June 17, 2014

Lloyd, my husband, wrote this beautiful obituary for my dear sister. Hopefully he knows how much we all appreciate how well he captures her essence.

Valerie Joy Brunk Hertzler died suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday [June 14, 2014] evening. She was 45 years of age.

She was born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy to missionary parents George R. Brunk III and Erma Hess Brunk. She grew up in Palermo, Richmond, and Harrisonburg, Va.

She graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School and received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Mennonite University in 1991.

Passionate about helping others, she worked for over twenty years at Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services, most recently as day care social worker.

She was a member of Lindale Mennonite Church.

She is survived by Andre Hertzler, her husband of nearly twenty-four years, and her beloved sons Casey and Noah of Harrisonburg; her father George R. Brunk III and his wife Ruthann Miller Brunk of Harrisonburg and Goshen, Ind.; her brother, Douglas L. Brunk, his spouse Lloyd Bowman, of Elkins Park, Pa., and their son Sheldon Bowman-Brunk of Pottstown, Pa.; her husband’s parents, Lowell and Betty Hertzler; her husband’s brother, Shelby Hertzler, his wife Jodi Nisly Hertzler and their children, Valerie’s nephews and niece, Oliver, Milo and Arwen. She is also survived by many of her Brunk and Hess uncles, aunts and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother Erma.

Valerie was deeply devoted to her husband and children and sought to create a simple, beautiful life for her family. She was deeply and fiercely loyal and always dependable. Valerie was a person of few words, but they were carefully and thoughtfully spoken when offered. Guided by a powerful inner light, she was genuine, resolute, and truthful. Though she could speak her mind if necessary, Valerie’s actions spoke loudest.