Valentine Albert Val DICERTO

23 DEC 1948 - 26 MAR 2022

• BIRTH: 23 DEC 1948, Niles, Berrien County, MI
• DEATH: 26 MAR 2022, Fresno, Fresno County, CA

INDEX

[N31810] Valentine Albert “Val” DiCerto
December 23, 1948 - March 26, 2022

Gentle, Spontaneous, Loving and always with a kind word to praise and encourage others, Valentine Albert DiCerto was born in Niles, Michigan on December 23, 1948 and went home to be with his Heavenly Father on March 26, 2022, at the young age of 73. Valentine was the youngest of six children born to Angeline Christine and Valentine DiCerto. Being the “baby” of such a large family, he was quite spoiled and enjoyed the attention of his older siblings. Val would always reminisce about his time growing up playing in the snow and fishing at a nearby waterhole. He also spoke about his bi-annual trips to Chicago where his parents would take him in hand to shop at their favorite Italian stores for delicacies they could take back home to Niles. Valentine graduated in 1967 from Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan and went on to graduate from Southwestern Michigan College in 1969 as an LVN. That same summer, he enlisted in the US Navy and after completing basic training, was sent to Lemoore Naval Air Station. There he served as a lab technologist while also attending California State University, Fresno majoring in Biology and Chemistry. Val was honorably discharged and became a Registered Nurse, working in various hospital settings. He also became a Physician’s Assistant and later attended a UC Davis Extension Program through Stanford Medical Center to become a Nurse Practitioner. Over the years of Val’s work in hospitals, hospice care, and Rehabilitation Centers, he earned many accolades from those he cared for and was well known for his expertise and precision. Many patients, especially the ladies, also commented on his beautiful curly wavy gray hair, which besides his unique first name became his trademark. Valentine was a lover of music and enjoyed many genres. He played the guitar and performed for years with two of his long-time friends, Dave Lackey and Marty Acree. Their musical group, called “Warmin Up” performed at many venues and memories of these fun times sustained Val during his battle with cancer. The family wishes to thank Dr. Greg Copeland, Valentine’s Physician for his compassion and personal attention he provided Val for many years. Our heartfelt thanks also extend to the staff of Heritage Crossing, a hospice/palliative care center that became Val’s home for the past five months. Every staff member enriched Val’s life and provided compassionate care in a loving environment. During his time there, he continued to impart his medical knowledge and advice to those who cared for him. Many of the staff that grew to love him commented he continued to give of himself while dealing with his own disease process.Val is preceded in death by his parents, Angeline Christine and Valentine DiCerto, his sister, Gaetana Lenox and Brother Salvatore (Sam) DiCerto. Val is survived by his fiancé/soulmate, Cheryl Marcelli-McClaine, his sons, Valentino Gianni DiCerto and significant other Adriana Rodriguez-Burciaga, Dominick Salvatore DiCerto and fiancé Helen Harris and Cheryl’s Son Gianni McClaine, Cheryl’s Mom, who also became Val’s other Mom, LaVera Marcelli, and brother David Marcelli, Sisters Angie Rudolph in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Anna DeBoard-Johnson and her husband Roy Johnson in Plymouth, Michigan, Valerie Kachur in Niles, Michigan, brother-in-law, James Lenox in Shreveport, Louisiana and his beloved, only goddaughter, Luanne Salinas and husband Jimmy Salinas in Freeport, Texas. In addition, there are many nieces and nephews who love him dearly for his fun-loving spirit and humor. The Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 6:00 pm at Val’s church home, St. Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:00 am, followed by entombment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Our Valentine will be sorely missed, however the light he shined upon everyone around him will remain until we meet him again. Remembrances in Val’s honor can be made to St. Mary Queen of Apostles Church or to Heritage Crossing. Services under the direction of Jay Chapel, Madera, California where condolence messages may be left at www.jaychapel.com
Posted online on April 01, 2022
Published in South Bend Tribune