Stanley Anthony Valantas

Stanley Anthony Valantas, 91, of Westville passed away at 12:15 a.m. Saturday May 3, 2008 at the VA Illiana Health Care System. He was born on February 4, 1917 in Westville, IL the son of Joseph and Anna Wenskunas Valantas. He married Lucille Norkus on May 10, 1941 at St. Peter & Pauls Catholic Church in Westville. She survives. Other survivors include his two daughters, Luann (Jimmy) Torbit of Westville and Dorothy (Darrell) Lewis of Westville. His grandchildren, Lori Harris of Mahomet, Lisa (Willie) Innes of Champaign, Daryl-Ann (Marion Roosa) of Boston, MA, and Denys Lewis of Colorado. His great grandchildren, Jordan and Eric Harris, both of Mahomet. A brother, John Valantas of Detroit, MI and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Joe Valantas, three sisters, Ann Maliskas, Elizabeth Dalbey, and Eva Petersak, and one brother-in-law Raymond Norkus. Stanley was a graduate of Westville High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a 1st Class Seaman on the U.S.S. Albemarle during WWII. Stanley was a self-employed plasterer before becoming a school custodian for the Westville School District. He was a minor league pitcher in his early years. Stanley was a member of the St. Marys Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and of the Westville American Legion Post 57. He was a lifelong Cubs fan and an avid golfer. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday May 6, 2008 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Westville. Father Richard Brunskill will officiate. Burial will be at St. Peter & Paul Cemetery with military rites conducted by Westville American Legion Post 57. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday May 5, 2008 with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. at Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel 414 S. State St. Westville, IL. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Marys Catholic Church or School, or Forest Glen Nature Preserve. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.