Valentino (Val) Villamaria

Valentino (Val) Villamaria, 75, Nevada, passed from this life Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., following two years of ill health. He was born Jan. 6, 1937 in Corona, Kan., to Frank and Katie Villamaria. He was united in marriage to Joan Hill Nov. 15, 1958, at the Columbus Catholic Church.

Having grown up in the Columbus area, he was a graduate of Columbus High School and Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan. Val worked for a few years as a chemist before moving his family to Nevada to accept the job as a Prudential Insurance agent, where he continued until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nevada, Knights of Columbus Council No. 855, and the BPOE Lodge No. 564.

In addition to his spouse, Joan, survivors include one daughter, Lynda Brittingham and her husband, Thurman, Rose Hill, Kan.; two sons, Mike Villamaria, Carl Junction, Mo., and Joe Villamaria, Nevada; six grandchildren, Brant Brittingham, and family, Rose Hill, Kan., Todd Brittingham and family, Wichita, Kan., Chris Brittingham, Liberal, Kan., Renee Villamaria, San Francisco, Calif., Rachael and Ryan Villamaria, Carl Junction, Mo.; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Frank Villamaria and his wife, Margaret, Pittsburg, Kan.; one niece; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 10, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Nevada, with the Rev. Tom Albers officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Nevada.

Friends may call now and until 8 p.m., Friday, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. A Rosary service will be held at the funeral home Friday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 8 p.m.

Contributions may be made in his memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church, in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

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