James D. Vallela

James D. Vallela, 86, Columbus, died Nov. 17 as a patient in Kobacker House.
Jim, the son of the late Carmen and late Irene Vallela, was a native of central
Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1955 from Altoona (PA) High School, enlisted in
the U.S. Naval Reserve, and latered entered the U.S. Air Force in which he
achieved the rank of staff sergeant. In civilian life, he parlayed his Air Force
assignments as a radar operator at the Sampson Air Force base in New York and
editor of the base newspaper. He also saw a year's service at radar facilities in
Greenland. He parlayed his newspaper training into civilian life as a copy editor for
the Beaver County Times (Beaver, PA) and as a reporter for the former Pittsburgh
Press. In later years he served as a public information officer for Rockwell
International and editor for Martin Marietta, now Lockheed Martin.

A resident of Columbus since 1999, Jim was a member of Post 614, American
Legion, a life member and three-year trustee of Hilliard Moose Lodge 2236, and
Knights of the Blue Nose in Greenland.

He is survived by his wife, Nadine; daughters Linda, Gina and Lea; sons Joseph
and James. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, Nov 22, from 10 a.m. to Noon at Tidd
Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich Street, Hilliard, where a service with military honors will be
conducted. Burial will be in Myrrhbearers section, Resurrection Cemetery.