Obituary of Valentine H. Wiekert, Jr.
Valentine H. Wiekert, Jr.
"Val"
Valentine H. Wiekert Jr, of Joliet, passed away peacefully at the age of 93, on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, in Florida, with his loving family by his side.
Val was born on February 6, 1929. He was the son of the late Valentine H., Sr, and Clara (Jolley) Wiekert. Upon graduation from Morris High School, he answered the call of duty and proudly served in the US Army Air Corp during the Korean War, where he saw action during his enlistment from 1950-1952. He worked for over 30 years at Fisher Body Works. He was a member of the Joliet Moose Lodge #300. Val was an active parishioner at the Church of St. Jude, and was a former member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.
Val and Evelyn shared their life together for more than 65 years of marriage.
For hobbies and enjoyments, Val loved flying airplanes and did so when he was young. He also had a keen interest in natural sciences (geology, fossil hunting, and bird sighting to name a few) and had a lapidary hobby where he polished gemstones. Val also collected coins and spent quality time with his son-in-law, Ed, going through large jars of pennies to finish his collection. In his time in Florida, Val would enjoy a fine glass of bourbon and a good cigar on the back porch.
Val is survived by his two devoted daughters, Lynne (Ed Meredith) Wiekert of Brandon, FL and Cynthia (Robert) Hampshire of Delaware, OH; and one loving granddaughter, Brooke Hampshire of Fort Wayne, IN.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn Wiekert; one son, Michael Wiekert; his parents; and his late brother Burton (Mary) Wiekert.
Funeral services for Valentine H. Wiekert, Jr. will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at 9:15 a.m., from Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 N. Brookforest Avenue (Rt. 59) where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, November 4th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
