Virginia May "Virge" (Howard) Stafford, 75, of Hoopeston, left this world for heaven Sunday, June 19, 2016. She died peacefully at her home in Hoopeston with two of her children, one brother and one sister present. She was born in Detroit, Mich. June 3, 1941 to Allen and Pearl (Ausher) Howard.

Virginia was a member of Hoopeston Community Church of the Nazarene in Hoopeston where she enjoyed worshipping and engaging life with her brothers and sisters in Christ. Earlier, she spent her life being a homemaker and mother to her four children. In her later years, she worked for Sun Oil Company and was an Over-the-Road Professional Truck Driver. Upon retirement, she relocated to Hoopeston, enjoying small town community life. She volunteered for several Community Service Groups in the town she loved.

Survivors include three of her adult children: Leticia Rector of Deer Island, Ore.; Aaron Mehki of Hoopeston; and Jason Mehki of Lake City, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Aja Mehki of Oregon; Tia Mehki, Kyle Oyarvide, Veronica Bridges all of Michigan and Kalli Mehki of Hoopeston; great-grandchildren: Stella, Aria, Phoenix, Aurora and Tristin; one sister, Dorothy Standifer Reed of Lebanon, Tenn.; one brother, Eugene Dillon Howard of Owingsville, Ky.; and nieces and nephews including Shayla Aguileta, Andrew Howard, Ryan Standifer, and Kelley Howard.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alvin Gene Mehki; and daughter, Wendy Bridges.

A Celebration of her life and memorial service is being planned for July 9, at 11 a.m. It will be at Hoopeston Community Church of the Nazarene, 402 East Honeywell Avenue, Hoopeston. Family and friends are invited. The family has requested that memorial contributions be considered in lieu of flowers. Memorial envelopes will be available at her service.