Valerie O. Byrd

    Valerie Byrd, age 80 of Mill Creek, died Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Mercy Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO. She was born July 22, 1946 in Chicago, the daughter of Alfred and Gladys (Madsen) Reiter.

    Valerie is survived by her daughter, Teri Hammond; son-in-law, Paul Gaines; grandchildren, Jamie Hammond (fiancée Drew Elder), Robert Hammond, Jr., Lanny Dillazou, Garrett (Kimberly) Dillazou, and Hailey Gaines; 3 great-grandchildren, Kayloni, Keyah, and Keysley; two sisters, Corrine Reiter and Laura (Kevin) Scaman; two brothers, Al Reiter and Tom (Judy) Reiter; other extended family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Steven Reiter; daughter, Margaret Gaines; great-granddaughter, Harper, and three brothers, Buddy, Doug, and Jack Reiter.

    Valerie graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Master’s degree in Psychology. In her early life, she served as mayor of the Village of Mill Creek. She proudly took a leadership role in the park development. She loved her family and will be dearly missed.

    A celebration of life will be held at a later date.