Cecilia Ann Valek

JOLIET, ILL.

Cecilia Ann “Cele” (Krupianik) Valek, age 103, of Joliet, Illinois passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2018 at Brown County Health and Living Community in Nashville, Indiana.

Cele was born November 9, 1914 in Joliet and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Throughout Cele’s life she was a caregiver, starting at the age of eight years old, eventually dropping out of school for one year to continue caring for her brothers, sisters and other relatives.

She was a Sacristan at St. John Catholic Church for 15 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph J. “Jake” Valek (March 31, 1977); parents, Lawrence and Frances (nee Konopek) Krupianik; three brothers, John (Bernice) Krupianik, Leonard Krupianik and Leo (Rita) Krupianik; two brothers in infancy; two sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Krupianik and Marie (Gene) Paluzzi; four sisters-in-law; and one brother-in-law.

Cele is survived by her beloved son, Robert J. (Eleanor) Valek of Columbus, Indiana; loving grandchildren, Robert, Paul and Tom Valek all of Columbus; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, including Gerald (Karen) Krupianik, Lawrence Krupianik, Ronald (late Carol) Paluzzi, Raymond Paluzzi, Mary (Robert) Bensen and Jean (David) Brunker; and cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Cele Valek will be Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 9:15 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet, to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 901 Elizabeth St, Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 3 to 7 p.m.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com.