Robert James Valeika, 71, passed away on Sept. 10, 2011 at James River Care Center in Springfield Mo.
Robert was born to Samuel and Dorothea (Anible) Port in Muskegon Mich., on Jan. 15, 1940. After Robert’s mother and father divorced, Robert’s mother moved the children to Iowa where they were adopted by their stepfather, Albert Valeika.
At age 17 Robert joined the USAF and served in England with an air refueling squadron. After leaving the Air Force, Robert served on several police forces, drove trucks and heavy equipment, and worked in the oil fields in Wyoming.
Robert owned his own trucking company in Arizona as well as a flag car service.
Robert had an adventurous spirit and moved around the country.
He lived in Michigan, lowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Illinois, Florida, Arizona and finally in Ava, Mo.
Robert’s wife, Giselle, passed away on Oct. 15, 2010 in Ava.
Robert leaves his mother, Dorothea Valeika, of West Plains Mo.; three children, Rob and Sandra Valeika, of Council Bluffs lowa, Amy and Donald Durell, of Round Rock, Texas, and Robert and Brenda Valeika, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; three siblings, Richard and Betty Valeika of Warsaw Mo., Jackie and James Wallace, of Winter Haven, Fla., and Samuel and Diane Valeika, of Mountain Grove, Mo.; and several grandchildren.
Robert was a dedicated member of the LDS Church in Ava, and had many friends in the area. Graveside services will be held in Colton, S.D., on Sept. 24.
