Dorothy E. (Rej) VanValkenburg

Ilion/Herkimer, NY-Mrs. Dorothy E. (Rej) VanValkenburg, 93, of Herkimer, formerly of Ilion, widow of William F. VanValkenburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, November 30, 2017 at Folts Homes, Herkimer. She was born on April 29, 1924 in Jersey City, NJ daughter of the late John and Frances (Pietkewicz) Rej and educated in Herkimer schools. On April 27, 1946, she was united in marriage with William F. VanValkenburg in Herkimer; a loving and blessed marriage of 38 years until the passing of Mr. VanValkenburg in October of 1984.  Dorothy and her husband were the owners of the former Van's Food Land in Ilion for many years.  She was a member of the Red Hat Society and a faithful communicant of St. Francis de Sales Church, Herkimer.  In her spare time, she enjoyed playing a game of cards and enjoyed volunteering her time at Folts Homes in Herkimer. Dorothy was fulfilled and grateful to be a loving mom, a good wife, and a wonderful grandmother who enjoyed nothing more than having all of her loved ones together. These were the relationships that made her life complete. She will be sadly missed by her loving family, her children, Thomas J. VanValkenburg and wife Bernadette of Sherrill, NY, Gregory W. VanValkenburg and wife Kathy of Frankfort and Janet Berry and husband Tom of W. Columbia, TX; a brother, John T. Rej and wife Marilyn of Columbia, SC; her cherished grandchildren, Lisa King and Rich, Kristen VanValkenburg, James VanValkenburg and Holly, Kevin Berry and Angela, Kelly Gressell and Steve, Kathryn Erickson and Ian, Leah Wessinger and Ethan, Molly Berry, Brett VanValkenburg and Alison.  She is also survived by nine adored great grandchildren.    The family will receive relatives and friends at Daniel J. Enea Funeral and Cremation Care, 5860 State Route 5 (near St. Mary's Cemetery), between Herkimer and Little Falls (315) 508-5250, on Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 1-3 p.m.  Mrs. VanValkenburg's funeral will commence at 9:15 am on Monday, Dec. 4th from the chapel of Dan Enea's funeral home location where transfer prayer will be offered, thence to St. Francis de Sales Church, 219 N. Bellinger St., Herkimer, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Mark Cunnigham, pastor at 10 a.m.  Procession will follow to Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, where she will be laid to rest.   Kindly consider sending memorial offerings in Mrs. VanValkenburg's name to St. Francis de Sales School, 220 Henry St., Herkimer, NY 13350.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.  The family wishes to thank Dorothy's friends at Galinsky Apts. and the Folts Home staff for their kindness and compassion.  To offer online messages of sympathy click to the left.