Elmer J. Valek, 84 of Rock Springs, died at home on February 3, 2012. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 11, 1927 the son of John and Mary (Matusek) Valek.  He was a Joliet, IL resident for 76 years until his move to Wisconsin.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army serving in the Philippine Islands. Elmer was a “50 Year Gold Card” member of the Laborers Union Local No. 75 working as a laborer until his retirement.  He was a life member of Ingalls Park AC, member of the American Legion Post 1080, former member of Belmont AC and manager/coach of Belmont Little League. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Valek, sisters, Bernadette Lauterbach and Marge Jordan.

He is survived by his cherished wife of 59 years, Rose (nee Papesh) Valek

Dearly loved children, Robert ‘David’ Valek and Georgiann (John –deceased) Bebar; adored grandchildren, Tara
Challenger and Nathan Challenger, his faithful companion, Kitty Juniper “Pooper”.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:30 A.M. in St. Jude Catholic Church,
New Lenox, IL. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-7 P.M. at the Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, WI and again on Friday at the church from 10:30 AM until the time of service.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Nativity Cemetery, Joliet, IL