James "Herky" Valerio

James “Herky” Valerio, 84 of Richland, formerly of West Deer Township died Thursday December 3, 2020 at his home with his family by his side. He was born August 20, 1936 in Harrison Township to the late James and Mary (Solomon) Valerio. Herky grew up in West Deer and lived here until he moved to Richland in 1993. He was a 1955 graduate of West Deer High School where he was a 3 sport letterman in football, basketball and baseball. Following high school, Jim served his country in the US Army achieving the rank of Corporal and was stationed with the 8th Infantry in Badkreuznach, Germany. Returning from the service, he worked as a coal miner in the Newfield mine until it closed in 1982. He then went to work at Shadyside Academy in the maintenance department until he retired in 1998. While at Shadyside, he was an active sports coach, coaching baseball, soccer and basketball. Jim was a member of Bairdford United Methodist Church, Bairdford, West Deer.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years Joyce E. (Flynn) Valerio, his daughter Lisa M. (John) Yourish of West Deer, his son Mark J. (Cathy) Valerio of Mt. Pleasant, SC, granddaughters Alyssa Yourish of Hampton and Jenna Yourish of Cranberry Township and his brother Eugene (Patricia) Valerio of Butler.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Ann (Grunden) Valerio and his brothers Daniel, George, Ralph, Nick and Henry Valerio.

Friends received Sunday 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm in the SIWICKI-YANICKO FUNERAL HOME, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer Twp. Friends and family are asked to meet at the Bairdford United Methodist Church on Monday at 10 am for the funeral service with the Rev. Jerry Pawloski, officiating. He will be privately laid to rest next to his first wife in Lakewood Memorial Gardens, Indiana Township. We will be following CDC Guidelines and do ask that you wear a mask, social distance and make your visit brief. View obituary online and leave condolences at  www.siwicki-yanickofh.com

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