James Joseph Valek

James Joseph Valek, 62, of Bethlehem, passed away on March 31, 2026, at Birches of the Lehigh Valley. He was born on May 3, 1963, the son of the late Joseph S. Valek and Margaret (Lipka) Valek.

Jimmy was a 1982 graduate of Liberty High School and dedicated over 23 years of service to Wegmans in Bethlehem, where he worked outside with the Helping Hands team. He just retired this February.

Jimmy was a parishioner of St. Anne's Catholic Church.

He had a deep appreciation for music and sports. He was very adept with being able to recognize a song within the first few notes, name the artist, song title and year. He especially enjoyed attending Musikfest yearly, cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies and Dallas Cowboys, and listening to his favorite song, "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men. Jimmy enjoyed many vacation trips he went on with his brother David or sister Maryjean throughout the years.

He was preceded in death by his brother, David Joseph Valek.

Jimmy is survived by his sister, Maryjean Haberl and her husband, William with whom he lived; his brother, Joseph William Steven Valek; sister-in-law, Lisa Valek; nieces, Krista Keenan and her husband Tom, Jennifer Hunger and her husband Erik, Rebecca Gardner and her husband Scott, Heather Salerno and her husband David; nephews, Jeffrey Haberl and his wife Regan, Brian Valek, Michael Valek and his wife Kimberly; his grand-niece, Olivia Haberl, grand nephews, Dylan Keenan, Jack Keenan, Luke Haberl, Jake Hunger, Nate Hunger, Troy Salerno, Edwin Salerno, as well as extended family and friends who will remember him for his kindness and steady presence.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 450 East Washington Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18017, followed by words of remembrance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blind & Visual Services, 8 W. Market Street, Suite 200, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 OR American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 

 Condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com.