Neland F. Valk's Obituary
Neland (Neal) Fuller Valk passed away on July 1st, 2022 at the age of 99 yrs. He was born March 29, 1923 in Salamanca, New York.
After graduating High School, Neal enlisted in the Marines attending Boot Camp at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. Graduating from Parris Island, he was assigned to Fire Control, 5th Marine Division / 22nd Regiment. He served in World War II from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific including Iwo Jima, Campaign of Nagasaki and Japan. He was discharged in 1946 from active duty but joined the Marine Airwing Reserves, Niagara Falls, NY from 1948-1951. He returned home to Salamanca and married his sweetheart, Elsie Stoltz, on November 6, 1946. They were married for 62 yrs before Elsie’s passing in December 2008. They have five children, seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He worked in the Oil and Gas Industry for over 40 yrs starting with Clark Brothers/Dresser Industries in Salamanca and Olean, NY respectively before being transferred to Houston, TX in 1969. He continued his career in the Oil and Gas Industry working for Dresser Rand, Brown and Root and Kellogg Engineering and Construction. He earned his Level 4 NDT Certification and was a member of the Society of Mechanical Engineers. In 1993 he retired at the age of 70 and devoted his time to volunteering on the cancer ward at St. Luke’s Hospital. Neal was a 2-time cancer survivor and he would console patients and administer the Eucharist. He also spent over 30 years volunteering at the North Channel Food Ministries and at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church and was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus council #10779 holding various positions and rising to the level of Past Grand Knight.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Hazel Valk.
He leaves behind five children Cynthia Mountain and her husband, Robert, of Olean, NY. Ken Valk and wife, Carol, of Houston, TX. Laur Van Valkenburg and partner, Jim Gray, of Houston, TX. Chris Valk and her partner, Monica Paredes, of Houston TX. Gregory Valk and wife, Sally, of Houston, TX; his sister Loretta Rivet and her husband, Maurice, of Salamanca, NY ; seven grandchildren Jessica Warren and husband, Rich, of Bowling Green, KY. Dr. Shawn Mountain and wife, Dr. Christina Mountain, of Lebanon, TN. Brian Mountain of Naples, FL. Bobby Mountain and wife, Brianna, of Naples, FL. Cassie Rauch and husband, Rick, of Houston, TX. Kendra Schwaiger and husband, Josh, of Houston, TX. Audrey Valk of Atlanta, GA ; thirteen great-grandchildren Rachel and Veronica Warren, Aurora, Alana, Aliza and Ava Mountain, Maren, Finley and baby girl Mountain due in September, Aidan and Lily Rauch, Weston and Walker Schwaiger
Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at St. Dominic Catholic Church at 8215 Reservoir Rd on Friday, July 8, 2022.
The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Dominic Church with Bishop Joe Vasquez, longtime family friend, officiating.
Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 10:00 AM
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
North Channel Assistance Ministries
13837 Bonham St
Houston, Tx 77015
St Luke's
PO Box 20269
(MC 3-206)
Houston, Tx 77225
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