GREENWOOD, IN.
After an evening of sharing memories and laughter with her four children, Dr. Constance Richardson Van Valer died peacefully on Friday morning April 12th 2024 at the hospital in which she served as an internal medicine resident from 1975 to 1976. Dr. Connie, as her friends knew her at Marquette Senior Living in Indianapolis, spent her career caring for others as an Emergency Physician at Johnson Memorial Health in Franklin until her retirement in 2005. She graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1974, served internship at Methodist Hospital of Indiana from June 1974 to June 1975, and then at St. Vincent Hospital until June 1976. She was a member of several medical associations including the Indiana State Medical Society, Johnson County Medical Society and, an accomplishment of which she was particularly proud, the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Dr. Van Valer was born on June 15, 1937 in Utica, New York, middle daughter of New Englanders, Dr. Harold Richardson, President of Franklin College from 1949 to 1964, and Dr. Mildred Richardson who received her Ph.D at age 56 and counseled at-risk youth. She grew up from the age of 12 in a home on the Franklin College campus (now the Napolitan Alumni House) and graduated in 1959 from Franklin College where she met her husband of 50 years, Joe N. Van Valer. In expression of her devotion to Franklin College, she served on its Board of Trustees beginning in 1999 and, at the time of her death, held Honorary Trustee status. Along with her sisters, she made significant contributions to the enhancement of Richardson Chapel named for her father where her Celebration of Life service will be held.
She is survived by two sisters, Dr. Elizabeth Ruben of Indianapolis and Carol Dennis also of Indianapolis; four children, Judge Kim Van Valer of Franklin, IN, Kelli (Steve) Stropes of Trafalgar, IN, Dr. Lynn (T.J.) Faur of Auburn, IN and Dr. Jeff Van Valer of Fishers, IN; 11 grandchildren, Ross & Leah Shilts, Nathan (Karlea), Forrest & Dr. Katie Stropes, Rae, Army Captain Nicole, Hadyn & T.J. Faur, and Martha & Joe Van Valer and 3 great grand-children, Rosalee Linville and Clara & Opal Stropes. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Joe N. Van Valer, and twin granddaughters, Ashlynn & Autumn Stropes.
Contributions can be made to the Franklin Symphonic Council P.O. Box 988 Franklin, IN 46131 or at www.fscindiana.org or Franklin College 101 Branigin Road Franklin, IN 46131 or at www.franklincollege.edu./giving.
Franklin College President Kerry Prather will conduct a service on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 3PM at the Richardson Chapel at Franklin College in Franklin, IN. and will be live-streamed at this web address youtube.com/live/oq3KUhOtxQ0.
Friends may call Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 3PM until 7PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and Sunday from 2PM until service time at the Richardson Chapel at Franklin College.
A private family inurnment will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
