Daniel Joseph Valko, age 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at McLaren Hospital in Pontiac. He was born in Detroit on March 19, 1926 to Julius and Marie (Coughlin) Valko. He was a 1944 graduate of St. Benedict High School in Highland Park.
He was a World War II veteran, enlisting in the Army on July 10, 1944, serving 17 months with
Company A, 69th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division in Europe and in Occupied Germany.
After the War he attended the Detroit Institute of Technology and worked for National Twist Drill in Detroit before starting his career with the U.S. Postal Service, Birmingham Michigan Branch in 1950.
On July 22, 1950 Daniel married Marie Jean Krupitzer. They moved to Pontiac in 1955, where together they raised ten children and enjoyed almost every minute of the experience, including attending all of their children’s sporting and performance events.
Daniel retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1988 after 38 years of loyal service and started his second career as Santa Claus for various municipalities, malls, businesses, and local families.
He was an active member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church in Pontiac where he was involved in many parish activities including the church choir, parish credit union, fund raising and as a communion lay minister and was also a member of the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus and Alhambra Beja Order.
He also volunteered as a Lapeer County Citizens Probation Officer, the St. Benedict High School Alumni Association Treasurer, and participated in the Big Chief Barbershop Chorus and Pontiac Theatre IV.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, playing cards, international traveling, and camping with his family throughout the US and Canada.
Daniel is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Marie, his children Diane (Everett) Cummings, Daniel Valko, Debra (John) DeMers, Mark (Victoria) Valko, Michael (Pam) Valko, Marsha (Max) Hoogenstryd, Douglas (Thomas Burden) Valko, Michelle (Aaron) Furman, Deanna (Darin) Figurskey his brothers James (Carol) Valko, Leo (Sandy) Valko, sister Marie (Art) Lydick, 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Matthew (Mary) Valko and his brother Frank (Pat) Valko.
Memorial and funeral services will be held on Friday, January 10th at the Pixley Funeral Home at 3530 Auburn Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:45 AM. The memorial service will begin at 12:00 noon. A Military Honors Service will be held at 2:00 PM at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd, Holly, MI.
