Irvin "Chug" Valentine of Blackwell, Oklahoma, was surrounded by his family when he departed this world peacefully on Sunday afternoon, January 23, 2011, at the age of 88 years. He entered into the kingdom of heaven to be with his Lord and loved ones.

Irvin "Chug" Valentine was born on January 28, 1922, in Madison, Oklahoma, to Art and Birdie Valentine. He attended Deer Creek Public Schools in Deer Creek, Oklahoma, and many other various schools throughout Oklahoma. Chug married Wilma Cowell on February 16, 1942, in Caldwell, Kansas. On November 9, 1942, he entered the United States Army serving during World War II in the 91st Infantry 155mm Howitzer Division. Upon joining the service he left Medford, Oklahoma, to arrive in Medford, Oregon, for his training. He received his basic training at Camp White in Albany, Oregon, and was deployed from Newport News, Virginia, stopping in Oran, Africa, before continuing to Naples, Italy, where he completed his tour of duty. He received an honorable discharge in November of 1945.

After serving his country, he worked on his wife's family farm north of Deer Creek. They later moved to Blackwell where he was employed by the Blackwell Zinc Company until its closing in 1975. In addition to working at the smelter, he also painted and restored houses.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and attended the Harmony Sunday School Class. Chug enjoyed playing cards, camping, dancing with friends and family and was always available to help anyone in need.

Chug and Wilma lived in the Trapp Addition in Blackwell for fifty years before moving to the Urban Village. After Wilma was admitted to the nursing home, Chug remained at the Urban Village to take care of the home as well as serve as a devoted husband to his wife. He visited her daily until her death in 2008. He later became a resident of the nursing home for the remainder of his life.

The family would like to give special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff for his exceptional care during this time.

He is loved and survived by two daughters, Beverly Rodgers and husband Lowell of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Twila Sprueill and husband Leonard Don of Ponca City, Oklahoma; a son, Chris Valentine and wife Krista of Ponca City, Oklahoma; two sisters, Wanda Morgan and husband Coy of Wichita, Kansas, and Laveta Newland and husband Don of Deer Creek, Oklahoma; a brother, Loren "Tuffy" Valentine and wife Sue of Blackwell, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Kim and Duane Klopp of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Debbie and John Hall of Glenpool, Oklahoma, Jerry and Jonna Veatch of Moore, Oklahoma, Launda Veatch of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Brandy Valentine of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Tucker Valentine of Ponca City, Oklahoma; seven great grandchildren; and two great great granddaughters.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and a sister.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 28th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Robert Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Oklahoma, with military rites performed by the United States Army of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

Serving as casketbearers will be Tucker Valentine, Jerry Veatch, Ezra Veatch, Dustin Klopp, Devin Klopp, Duane Klopp, Tyson Hall, Trenton Johnson and John Hall.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Alzheimer's research in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.