Obituary of MRFN Jack Valentine

MRFN Jack Bernard Valentine, USN, 20, of Zion, died on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He was born December 27, 1985 in San Diego. MRFN Valentine died of complications from steam burns to 70 percent of his body and internal steam burns to his lungs. He was burned on December 1 when a pressurized steam pipe burst during preventive maintenance testing on board U.S.S. Frank Cable, a submarine tender home ported in Guam. Seven of his shipmates were also burned in the accident. He was a 2004 graduate of Zion-Benton Township High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 29, 2004. MRFN Valentine came from a Navy background, so his enlistment in the U.S. Navy came as little surprise to his family. His father served in the U.S. Navy for over 24 years, his maternal grandfather served for 20 years, and his paternal grandfather served during World War II. An uncle and four great-uncles also served in the Navy and other branches of the military. Jack had bowled in a youth league for many years in Zion and enjoyed adventure sports such as caving, rock climbing, camping, and jungle racing. As a youth, he enjoyed attending Camp Zion and volunteering with his grandparents at the USO at Great Lakes. He is survived by his parents, David and Colleen Valentine of Zion; sisters Kristina (Mark) Fosterud of Palatine, Illinois and Garnet Valentine at home; grandparents Bernard and Helen DeVries of Antioch, Illinois; and aunts Margaret (James) Cole of Antioch, Illinois, Christine (Kenneth) Smith of Waukegan, Illinois, Dianna (John) Baseley of Gurnee, Illinois and Sally Gillard of Norton Shores, Michigan. Other relatives surviving include his niece Tristyn Valentine of Palatine, Illinois; and numerous cousins in Lake and McHenry Counties in Illinois and in Arkansas and Michigan. He is also survived by his long-term girlfriend, Stacy Gildenstern of Kenosha, Wisconsin; and long-time best friends Robert Sykes (USN) and Jonathan Pitts (USN). He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jack and Ardyce Valentine of Michigan. Visitation will be Sunday, December 17, 2006 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion Funeral services will full military honors will be held on Monday, December 18th at 11:00 a.m., also at Christ Community Church with Pastors Ken Langley and Jon Wiziarde officiating. Interment at Ft. Sheridan Cemetery will be private. Memorials to either Camp Zion, a ministry of Christ Community Church, or to the USO have been suggested.