Keith Vallimont
Age - 73
October 10, 2023
Keith Vallimont, age 73, died at home on October 4, 2023, with his loved ones by his side.
Keith was born on January 26, 1950, in Philipsburg, PA. He was the son of Earl L Vallimont and Verda Luccetta (Dixon) Vallimont. Keith treasured growing up in Keewaydin, PA, where he enjoyed some of the simpler pleasures in life like front porch sitting and walking to his grandparents' house across the road to scope out the dinner menu. He had the unique experience of attending the Keewaydin School House and the Frenchville School House, both one-room schoolhouses throughout elementary school. He graduated from Clearfield Senior High School in 1967. He also graduated from Williamsport Community College specializing in diesel technology. He was a US Army veteran, stationed in Ethiopia during the Vietnam War where he worked as a truck driver and mechanic.
On May 10, 1975 he married Ellen Miller in West Side United Methodist Church, Clearfield, PA. She preceded him in death. Keith was devoted to his daughters who survive, Beth Ann Pirnick of DuBois, PA, Jennifer Ellen Vallimont of Weedville, PA, and Jessie Ellen Vallimont of Clearfield, PA. Keith was a cherished mentor and ice cream buddy for his grandchildren, Shea, Salina, and Grayson Bona of Weedville, PA. Keith also leaves behind his girlfriend, Pam Spencer of Clearfield, PA. He never hesitated to drop everything to help his girls, whether it was being the bug, mouse, and bat guy or making most any crazy building project idea come to life. Jessie confidently told her preschool teacher, "My dad can fix anything!" and that was the truth - he was his family's best plumber, carpenter, and electrician.
Keith will be remembered by those who knew him best for his work ethic, his love for his family, his passion for our country's freedom, and his faith. He started his working career at age 8 at Kunes Apple Farm right down the road from his house where he earned ten cents a bushel digging potatoes. While working close to home was convenient at that age, his true calling would ultimately take him much farther from home: being a truck driver. He knew this country like the back of his hand thanks to a lifetime spent on the road, accruing between 4 and 5 million miles. Being a trucker was a passion that started at a young age and never waned. He hauled everything from industrial recycling containers to breakfast cereal. He hauled freight on virtually every type of trailer, but flatbed was his favorite. He worked for many different companies over the years including local companies, Butler Trucking, Clearfield Truck Rentals where he was a mechanic and wrecker driver, and Marathon Equipment. He was even part of the building of the WalMart Distribution Center in Woodland, PA as a concrete truck driver. Nationally, he drove for Greentree Transportation, Schneider Transportation, McLeod Trucking, and J and R Schugel. He retired from Pennsylvania Grain Processing where he hauled grains and corn oil. After he retired, he realized that you couldn't take the trucker out of the truck for long (we wonder if diesel fuel ran through his veins!), so he returned to drive part-time for Pennsylvania Grain Processing and Dixon Precast Inc. Keith loved sharing his adventures on the road with family and friends. He took his children, grandchildren, and friends on trips with him any chance he got so they could see the beauty of his beloved country beyond the borders of Clearfield County. Jessie was able to see 45 states with him!
Keith's love for trucking and for being a mentor to others led him to being a part of the Trucker Buddy Program that pairs a grade school teacher and their class with a truck driver. Throughout the year, Keith sent the class letters about life on the road and the various types of freight he hauled. The kids enjoyed getting the letters and replied with letters of their own. At the end of each school year, Keith would take his truck to the school so the kids could meet him, ask even more questions, and jump inside for a tour. Years later, Keith still ran into students who fondly remembered getting to tour his truck.
Even though his job kept him away from home much of the time, Keith was committed to serving his church and community with his service. Over his lifetime, he donated over 10 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. He made many new friends, fellow handymen and women, at the Allport-Bigler-Woodland Workcamp each summer where they helped local people with small home projects. He was a proud member of the Clearfield County Sheriff's Posse and enjoyed being a guard for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life as part of that group. He and Ellen were active members of Lawrence Grange for many years. His faith drove him to be a part of many ministries at West Side United Methodist Church, including Angel Food Ministries, United Methodist Men, and serving as a church trustee. He was happy to help with improvement projects throughout the church, both inside and outside.
Keith is survived by cousins, Candy Vallimont, Lynn (Abbie) Vallimont, and Dana (Dawn) Vallimont and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, numerous aunts and uncles, and cousin, Robert Vallimont. Robert's family also survives. Keith relished time spent with his cousins at their hunting camp, "Camp No Buck," in Pottersdale, PA, where he was the official camp cook. Camp No Buck is a place of family, fellowship, hunting, and shenanigans. He treasured the adventures and antics he shared with his Camp No Buck family.
A celebration of life will be held at West Side United Methodist Church chapel on Saturday, October 14th, 2023, at 2 PM with fellowship and visitation beginning at 12:00 PM in the basement fellowship hall. Memorial contributions can be made to United Methodist Men, West Side United Methodist Church, 317 Nichols Street, Clearfield, PA.
Arrangements are being managed by Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield.
Keith had a story or joke for every occasion and his wit and humor shined through to the day he died, arguably on the most epic date for a lifelong trucker to pass: "ten-four. "Show more
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