Funeral Services celebrating the life of Virginia R. Lavelle, of Newark, will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ, 11 A.M., Saturday, January 21, 2023, with Pastor Joyce Wealand as celebrant. Friends and family may call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Private inurnment services at Cedar Hill Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Virginia died at Parkside Village Senior Living, Westerville, Ohio, January 6, 2023. She was born on Mother's Day at Newark Hospital on May 11, 1930, to the late Dana D. and Ruth K. (Swisher) Walker.

Virginia attended her first two years of school in a one-room schoolhouse in Mary Ann Township, graduating from Newark High School in 1948. She was employed for 27 years with the City of Newark, beginning with the office at Cedar Hill Cemetery and then in the Clerk of Municipal & Judicial Court offices, retiring from the judicial court office in 1987. She was married for over 66 years to William P. Lavelle, former superintendent of Cedar Hill Cemetery, and resided with their family at 275 N. Cedar Hill Street for over 30 years until Bill's first retirement.

As a longtime parishioner of St. John's United Church of Christ, Virginia was an active member of the Afternoon Guild and Sewing Circle, creating and donating over 200 walker and wheelchairs bags likely still in use across Licking County. She was also a member of the Review Club, YWCA/YMCA, and was a volunteer usher at the historic Midland Theater for over 12 years. Bill and Virginia traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and 7 continents.

She is survived by her children, Gayle L. (Kurt) Miller and W. Dana Lavelle; four grandchildren, Jillian (Sean) Gulick, Patrick Miller (Emma Jandel), W. Spencer Lavelle and Taylor Lavelle; three great-grandchildren, Olivia G. Gulick, William P. Gulick, and Onyx W. Lavelle; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her brother, John B. (Elizabeth) Walker; sister, Emma E. (Charles) Bell; brother Dana David Walker; niece, Drucilla Bell; and nephew, Rodney Bell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Virginia can be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, 285 W. National Drive, Newark, Ohio 43055.

REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive Newark is assisting the family with arrangements. To share your memory of Virginia or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.