Luis Valladares

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved, Luis Valladares, on the early morning of June 17, 2025. Luis was born in Savanna, Illinois, on June 21, 1943, to Jesus Valladares and Mercedes Sanchez. Luis married the love of his life, Penny Watson Curley, on February 11, 1977. Luis is survived by his children and stepchildren, Casey (Stephanie) Valladares, Jose (Regina) Valladares, Lori Ann (Lane) Mansen, Sheri (Ray) Lafrancois, Randy(Wendy) Curley, Lori (DJ) Medina, and Scott (Susan) Curley; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Luis was born into a large family who loved him dearly. His siblings, who referred lovingly to him as “Chief”, include Ernie Valladares, Gloria Gonzalez, Sally Rolston, Mercedes Glessner, Robert (Nona) Valladares, Roy (Maggie) Valladares, Marty Coffee, Hyme Valladares, Lucy (Don) Hillman, and Eddie (Truby) Valladares. Luis also has a very large number of neices and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Luis is proceeded in death by an infant daughter, Linda Valladares, from a previous marriage; his parents, Jesus and Mercedes Valladares; three sons-in-law, Victor Gonzalez, Dale Rolston, and Jim Coffee; and his older brother, Larry Valladares.

As a child, Luis attended Savanna Catholic Schools until the 8th grade. He then transferred to Savanna High School, where he was an avid football player. He loved football his entire life and he was a long-standing Vikings Fan. For many, many years, he never missed watching a game. This was a shared passion for Luis and his wife, Penny. They spent many years together watching their favorite football teams and sporting their football gear.

Luis then moved to the small town of Sublette, Illinois and worked at Conco-heico, out of Mendota, Illinois, for a number of years, while raising his family. During those years he was very active in the Fire Department, volunteering as a fireman and a certified EMT. Luis and Penny also participated on their fireman’s water fight team for many years. Every Sunday they would go off to other departments to compete in water fight games representing the town of Sublette. Being an EMT was also really important to Luis. He loved that part of his life.

Years later, Luis made a career change and went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad. He retired from there in1989. He traveled all over the United States with this job, and had many very close friends on the BNSF.

After Luis retired, he decided to go to work during the holiday months at Swiss Colony in Savanna. He loved working there, and he especially loved the people he worked with. Again, Luis could make friends wherever he went.

Luis was also an amazing welder. While he did not always work as a welder, he did do it part time for many years and he was able to help many people around town with his welding skills. He took great pride in learning this trade at a young age and still being able to weld up into his later years.

One of Luis’s great passions, something most people don’t know about him, took place during his younger years. Luis was an amateur boxer. He was quite good at it and amassed numerous awards. His love for boxing carried on throughout his entire life.

Another of Luis’s greatest loves was dancing. But not just any dancing, dancing with his love, Penny. That’s how he and Penny met. Watching them twirl around the dance floor to their favorite Elvis and Johnny Cash tunes was quite a sight! Louie was still dancing right up until his legs would no longer cooperate. But that wouldn’t stop him from singing us a Johnny Cash or Elvis tune, right up until the end. Luis was also quite a singer!

Dad, Grandpa, Luis, Louie, Lou, Chief, Sanch; he was called by many names.. Some of these names were for fun, some for respect, but all out of love. He was funny, and had such a boisterous laugh. He had a twinkle in his eye, and always said “ok honey” when he knew he needed to keep quiet. And when Penny would say that phrase she was known for, when she wasn’t real happy with him, he would just tuck his head and giggle. Luis made us shake our heads, a lot, giggling at his antics. But most of all, we all know he took great pride in his family, and his love for them was unconditional.

As Louie leaves us, we are comforted to know he is pain free and living with the Lord. He will love us eternally as we will him. We also know he will be waiting patiently for his family to join him someday, and while he waits, he may kick back, or dance a little, maybe have a cocktail or two, all while listening to his all-time favorite Elvis song……..Memories. RIP Sanch!