Valerie M. Caulkins

Coal Valley, Illinois

Valerie M. Caulkins, 35, of Coal Valley, Illinois, formerly of Orion, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 2, 2014, in her home.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Orion, where she was baptized, with The Reverend Dr. Michael R. Lawyer officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation is 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley. Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in Valerie's memory.

The former Valerie Marie Border was born February 16, 1979, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Mark William and Denise Claire (Mathias) Border. She graduated from Orion High School in 1997. She married Todd William Caulkins on October 15, 2005, in Galesburg, Illinois.

Valerie joined Rainbow Girls at the age of 11, and remained active until she reached 21. She served as Worthy Advisor for the Moline Assembly; and at the Illinois State level as Grand Representative to Vermont, Grand Faith, and on the Grand Cross of Color Team. She enjoyed reading, going to Renaissance fairs, and was very skilled at polymer clay crafts. Above all else, she enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially loved her nieces and nephew.

She is survived by her loving husband, Todd; parents, Mark and Denise Border of Rock Island; a brother and sister-in-law, Nick and Jenn Border, and their children Katelyn, Caroline, and Joey, all of Orion; her mother-in-law, Marilyn Sage, and her husband, Gary, of Galesburg; and a brother-in-law, Bruce Caulkins of Galesburg. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, and father-in-law, Robert Caulkins.

Visit Valerie's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories, pictures, and condolences, send flowers, and light a free candle in her memory.