Valentina Hiatt

Valentina "Val" Hiatt, 90, passed away at her Florida home with her family by her side on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Val was born on January 12, 1933, in Daugavpils, Latvia. She became orphaned during World War II and at age 13 was brought to the United States by the Lutheran Charities Organization and the American Red Cross. She was adopted by William "Bill" and Alma (Steiss) Trehearne, who had never met her or seen a photo of her, but knew in their hearts she should be part of their family. She graduated from Sturgis (Michigan) High School in 1953, and later earned an Associate's Degree in Political and Library Science from Ball State University. On June 12, 1954, she married the love of her life, Rex Hiatt, and he survives. They would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary a few days after her passing. Val worked as a librarian for the Barton Reese Pogue Memorial Library in Upland for 25 years. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Hartford City for many years, volunteered at the Preschool at the Marion Hostess House, the Historical Society of Upland, the Historical Society of Zephyrhills, Florida, was member of the Grant County Fair Board, volunteered at the Cancer Services of Grant County, and showed her patriotism by working at the voting polls. Val was a former member of the Upland Extension Homemaker's Club and the Delta Beta Gamma Club of Upland. Val was an inspiration to many. She loved to share her story and was asked by schools and organizations to come and speak. Because of her sweet spirit and personality, she was a light to anyone she met. Many would comment about her positive aura and due to her difficult childhood, she would be willing to help anyone in need.

Val is survived by her husband, Rex; daughter, Melissa (Eric) Eitzen, Dickinson, Texas; exchange student daughter, Christina Sichert, Germany; grandson, Dr. Ryan Davis, Austin, Texas; and brother, Paul (Linda) Trehearne, Salem, South Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Alma.

Arrangements for Val have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 259 North Main Street, Upland, Indiana 46989, where a visitation will be held on July 14, 2023, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Jefferson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either The Lutheran Church Charities of the Ukraine, at www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/ukraine.html, or to Grant County Cancer Services. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.