Obituaries : Valmah Lee \'Val\' Patrilla

Val Patrilla

VINTON – Valmah Lee “Val” Patrilla, 89, departed into the arms of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, in the Ed & Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2015, at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Lexie Kirkpatrick officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 10, 2015, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, with military rites performed by George G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and Iowa Army Honor Guard of Des Moines.

Val was born December 24, 1925, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Joseph Harold and Grace Allen Patrilla. He graduated from Vinton’s Lincoln High School in 1944. He continued his education at Cummings School of Art in Des Moines; Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls; and he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in jewelry and silversmithing from Drake University in Des Moines.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army 90th Infantry during WWII from July of 1944 until May of 1946. He served in the European Theater and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Germany. He was a member of George G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 in Vinton.
On May 21, 1950, Val was united in marriage with Rozella Ross Keller at Stewart Memorial UMC in Vinton.
Val worked as a plumber for Edward’s in Vinton, at a tire shop in Cedar Falls, and he also farmed. In 1959, he initiated the Art Department for Vinton Public Schools. Although he retired in 1993, he continued to substitute teach.
He was an active member at Stewart Memorial UMC. He was in the choir, played chimes, was on the Administrative Board and taught Sunday School.
Val enjoyed archery, hunting, fishing and farming. He loved painting, wood carving, designing jewelry and was an avid storyteller.
Val is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rozella, of Vinton; his children: Vance (Nancy) Patrilla of Toddville; Christie (Keith) Long of Waverly; Ray (Lory) Patrilla of Vinton; and David (Jodi) Patrilla of Vinton; a sister, Dorothy; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren (and two on the way).
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and his foster parents, Loren and Alta Rollinson.
A memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Val and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.
Val’s faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, was very strong.