VaLaire J. Orchard

VaLaire Jane Rilee Orchard passed away peacefully on March 29th at Lima Memorial Hospital at the age of ninety-eight while surrounded by family.

Born in New Orleans to Clair and Wanda (Brunstrom) Rilee on May 20, 1926, VaLaire became part of their Vaudeville show at the age of fourteen months performing throughout the United States and Canada, while also appearing in movies and Our Gang Comedies. She was known on stage as Baby VaLaire. She then resided in Lima with her grandmother to attend school, graduating from Lima Central High School in 1944. She married her high school sweetheart, Arthur Orchard, Jr., in 1945. They were married for sixty-seven years until his passing in 2013. VaLaire was very active in the Lima community, serving on the boards of the Allen County Historical Society, the American Red Cross and the Allen County Mental Health Services for many years among other local entities. She hosted Blue Flame Theater on WIMA television and “It’s Happening with VaLaire” on WIMA radio. She received numerous awards for broadcasting as well as service to Lima and Allen County. In 2018, she was honored for her seventy-five years of volunteerism with the American Red Cross at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

VaLaire and Art together enjoyed golf, traveling throughout the world and spending time at South Padre Island, Texas. She was a loyal servant of the First Evangelical and Reformed Church for ninety-two years where she served in many leadership capacities.

VaLaire was devoted to her family as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Janie Sheraw (Bob), of Pickerington and Tom (Marcy), of Westerville; grandchildren, Brett Sheraw (Michelle), Todd Sheraw (Beth), Kiley Orchard (Joey Schulte) and great-grandsons, Preston, Haydon, Jack and Bobby Sheraw, and special friend Sharon West. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family, Kathy Robinson, of Long Beach, California.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima, Ohio. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in VaLaire’s memory to the Allen County Historical Society and Museum, (620 W. Market St., Lima, Ohio 45801), the American Red Cross (610 S. Collett St., Lima, Ohio 45805), or the First Evangelical and Reformed Church (320 W. Wayne St., Lima, Ohio 45801).

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.