Please share a memory of Henry to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Valko (Henry John Valko, Jr), who left us peacefully on April 29th at the age of 79 at Harry Hines Hospice at Saint Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.
Born on February 2,1945 in Wichita, Kansas to Hank and Joanne (Jarvis) Valko. John grew up near Riverside and attended North High School before meeting Patricia Irene Ridder and getting married in 1967. At this time, he was one of the first employees of Pizza Hut and maintained a lifelong love affair with homemade pizza. His first long career was at Coleman Company where he became a regional sales manager for propane powered camping equipment. John and Pat had two sons, Curtis and Derek and lived in east Wichita where they attended Magdalen Catholic Church.
After working for Coleman Company for 18 years, John worked for different employers until finding his role at Sedgwick County Corrections where he felt like he could make a difference with kids who had more difficult circumstances than he had experienced. John always had a place in his heart for kids and enjoyed being able to work for their benefit.
John had a loving marriage to Sandy Valko for 20 years in Wichita, where they enjoyed their time with many friends. They always had a productive summer garden that they loved to share.
John had a 23-year career with Sedgwick County Youth Corrections in Wichita and retired from there in 2012 to follow his dream of retiring to Arkansas. John loved the Christmas season for how he could give joy to children by helping to get gifts to kids who might not have much to celebrate with.
After Sandy’s unexpected passing in 2012, John relocated to their home in Arkansas. He spent the next 12 years living the dream that he and Sandy had envisioned, all the while engaged in the community through his membership in the Eagles Chapter. At the time of his passing, he held the office of the President at the Eagle’s Chapter in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. He enjoyed the hard work and made many new lifelong friends.
When John’s health took a serious turn last year, he never wavered in his determination to get better. He remained committed to recovering, getting stronger and returning to his home and friends in Arkansas. Though he succumbed to lung cancer late in life, he faced his last health challenge the way he had learned to do throughout his young life.
John’s surviving family includes his mother Joanne Hackerott (Jarvis), sons, Curt (Beth Shipley) and Derek (Brandy Rowell), grandson Dominic (Lydia Williams), and many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly in Wichita, Kansas and Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.
John will be honored on June 1, 2024 at the Eagle’s Club in Horseshoe Bend. To share a memory, leave condolences or sign our guestbook, please visit our website www.corecremation.com.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to St. Jude Children’s Fund or the charity of your choice. John found a great deal of satisfaction working for children’s charities for many years until his passing.
