Vallis J. (McDonald) Bales, 90, of Bluffton, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne. She was born on Sunday, March 15, 1936, in Wells County to the late James Ernest McDonald and Kathryn Irene Schwarzkopf McDonald.
Vallis married Glenn A. Bales on Thursday, Feb. 17, 1955, in Dunkirk. 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 of Montpelier; grandchildren, Les (Carol) Bales of Warren, Sherri Bales of Montpelier, Brooke (Jake) Wickey of Poneto, and Brandon Bales of Los Angeles; sister, Karen (Tom) Blevins of Montpelier; 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 from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, located at 109 W. Windsor St., in Montpelier, one hour prior to services on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
A service to celebrate Vallis’ life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home 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.
Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com.