Vallis J. (McDonald) Bales, age 90, of Bluffton, IN, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born on Sunday, March 15, 1936, in Wells County, IN, to the late Ernest J. and Kateryn (Schwartzkopf) McDonald.
Vallis married Glenn A. Bales on Thursday, February 17, 1955, in Dunkirk, IN. She was a 1955 graduate of Chester Center High School. Vallis worked at Corning Glass in Bluffton for 13 years and later worked as a route deliverer for the Bluffton News-Banner for 32 years.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Stan (Deb) Bales, Montpelier, IN, grandchildren, Les Bales, Warren, IN, Sherri Bales, Montpelier, IN, Brooke (Jake) Wickey, Poneto, IN, and Brandon Bales, L.A., CA, sister, Karen (Tom) Blevins, Montpelier, IN, great grandchildren, Brayden Wickey, Jaelyn Wickey, Breann Wickey, Kalesay Bales and L.J. Bales, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest J. and Kateryn (Schwartzkopf) McDonald; husband, Glenn A. Bales; son, Steve Bales; and brothers, Donald, Ronald, and Raymond McDonald.
Family and friends may gather to share and remember Vallis at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, located at 109 W. Windsor St., Montpelier, IN 47359, on Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and one hour prior to services on Monday, August 17, 2026.
A service to celebrate Vallis’ life will be held at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 17, 2026, with Terry McDonald officiating. Interment will follow in Twin Hill-I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Pennville.
Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home in Montpelier.
About the Author
