John R. Valasek

John R. Valasek, 79, of Buffalo Township, passed away with his family at his side on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 in West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was born January 30, 1940, in Natrona Heights to the late Stephen and Mary Gazdik Valasek. John was a 1958 graduate of Har-Brack High School. He served his country as a veteran of the United States Army. John retired from Harmar Coal Company where he worked as a roof bolter. He was a member of the Tarentum Eagles and the V.F.W. Post 894 in Natrona Heights. John enjoyed gardening, riding his motorcycle, spending winters at his home in Florida with his wife, but most of all spending time with his family especially around the holidays when his spirit would come out as Santa Claus. John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Beverly J. Kutchko Valasek; daughters, Lisa (James) Young, of Sarver and Ronnie Lou Bowser, of Watersonville; seven grandchildren, Haley (Richard) Dotts, Mallory (Brandon) Rhodes, Fred Young, Kelli Young, Karla (Ryan) Sadecky, Jonathan (Kasey) Bowser and Ciara (Zachary) Hoffman; 10 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; son-in-law, Robert Bowser, of Kittanning; and by his sisters, Helen Kuslock and Veronica Peters, both of Tarentum. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his son, Richard Valasek; brothers, Michael, Steve, Ernie, Frank, George, Joseph and Vincent Valasek; and by his sister, Margaret Cornman.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday from 2-4, 6-8 pm in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where a parting prayer service will be held on Friday at 12 Noon. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30 pm in St. Ladislaus Church with the Rev. Aaron Kriss as celebrant. Burial with full military honor's accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. The Tarentum Eagles will hold services in the funeral home on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. To send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.