On May 11, 2024, John P. Valancius of Delta, PA., formerly of Baltimore, MD, died peacefully surrounded by
his family and his dedicated caregiver, Anna Almony of Delta. Mr. Valancius was born August 2, 1924 in
Monessen, PA to Lithuanian immigrants, Walter and Veronica Kasputis Valancius.
Drafted into the US 1st Army Infantry Division in 1943, Valancius landed in the second wave on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Wounded at Hurtgen Forest, Germany in November, 1944, he recovered in Fontainebleau, outside of Paris, and rejoined his unit in March, 1945. When the War in Europe ended in May,1945, Valancius was in Czechoslovakia. For his service he was awarded the Purple Heart, and just recently was installed in the French Legion of Honor for his role in liberating France from the German Occupation of 1940-1945.
Returning stateside in 1946, he moved to Baltimore, where he began a 40 year career at the Broening Highway General Motors Assembly Plant in southeast Baltimore.
In June, 1955 he married the late Sylvia J. Danielczyk of Dundalk, MD, and with her ,raised two daughters, Denise M. Valancius-Ditman (Dave) of Catonsville, MD, and Karen V. Hall (David) of CastleRock, CO, who survive him. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren; Benjamin E. Ditman (Rie) of Fukuoka, Japan, Elliott J. Ditman of Catonsville, Alexandra S. Hall of Aurora, CO, 1LT, US Army, Robert C. Hall of Fort Moore, GA, and one great-grandchild, Kai D.,of Fukuoka. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A Blessing Service will be held at St. Mary’s of the Assumption R.C. Church, 1021 St. Mary’s Rd., Pylesville, MD, 21132, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Interment private.
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