Val G. McPeak

Val G. McPeak, 85, of Bartlett, formerly of St. Charles, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Oaks of Bartlett surrounded by his loving family.

Val was born May 20, 1939, in Hamilton County, Illinois, the son of Fred and Marie (Moore) McPeak. Val grew up in Southern Illinois, attending school in McLeansboro and Broughton before moving with his mom and stepfather to Moweaqua, Illinois, where he attended Moweaqua High School from 1955-1958. While in high school, he was a three sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball under the tutelage of coach and lifelong friend Harold Anderson.

After high school, Val attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for a year. The bright lights of Carbondale were a little much for a farm boy from Moweaqua, so Val transferred to Eastern Illinois, joining the football team as a guard and linebacker. Val co-captained the team his Senior year. While at Eastern, Val enlisted in the Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School, completing his training during the summer months at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia, and Camp Pendleton, California. Upon his graduation from Eastern with a degree in Physical Education, Val served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1962 – 1965, where he was stationed at Camp Pendelton and Okinawa, achieving the rank of Captain prior to his discharge.

After leaving active duty, Val returned to school as a graduate student at Indiana University where he also taught social studies and coached football at West Vigo high school in Terra Haute. He returned to Eastern Illinois University to finish his graduate studies, where he coached the offensive line for the freshman football team. During this time, Val met a member of the Pink Panther Pom Squad, Janice Hall. He eventually got around to asking her to marry him (Val was never impetuous) and they were wed in 1968.

After their wedding, Val and Jan packed up and headed north, where Val took a job at Kaneland High School as a social studies teacher and coach, reuniting with his high school mentor, Harold Anderson. In 1970, they welcomed a son, Scott, to the family and Val took a job coaching football, returning to Eastern Illinois University, where he coached the offensive line from 1970-75. In 1975, with the addition of their son Andrew, the family moved to St. Charles, Illinois, where Val began a long career as a teacher at Kaneland High School. He was the head football coach at Kaneland from 1975-1981. Val also coached football at Geneva High School from 1982-1986, serving as the Defensive Coordinator. In 1990, Val became the Athletic Director at Larkin High School, until he retired in 1998.

Throughout his life, Val was a servant. His calm demeanor, patience, wisdom, and character defined him and shaped his family and those around him. His family was his passion and his favorite pastime was babysitting his granddaughters. For a rough and tumble Marine, his tender and loving relationships with Allie, Ella, and Eiley were truly amazing to witness. He and Jan were lifelong members of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. Val spent his time volunteering for the church and community, taking many mission trips to Appalachia and Louisiana to help improve the lives of those in need. He loved to watch the Packers and Cardinals, golf, fish, and play cards with his friends. Jan and Val were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel extensively in their retirement, sharing many incredible adventures. Val never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a hand. He was a true gentleman and someone that left a mark on all those he came in contact with.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice (Hall); sons Scott of St. Charles, and Andrew (Anne) of Glen Ellyn; granddaughters Allison, Ella, and Eiley; brothers Dean and Curtis (Margie), sisters Sharon (Frank) Wellen and Vicki Egyud, and many dear relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Marie, his stepfather Fred Shuster, brothers and sisters Carl Shuster, brother-in-law Lou Egyud, Bob Shuster, Mae Hays, Norma Brehm, Don Shuster, and Mary Jo Parker.

A visitation for Val will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2024, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 East State Street (Rt 38), Geneva.

Val’s memorial service will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:30 am at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Avenue, St. Charles with Pastor David Aslesen officiating.

Inurnment will follow with military honors at Baker United Memorial Garden in St. Charles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois 60174 or Hesed House, 659 S. River Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506 would be appreciated.

Arrangements handled by the Malone Funeral Home in Geneva.  For information 630-232-8233 or malonefh.com.

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