Joseph "Smokey" Valle passed away on August 13, 2004. Smokey had several health problems over the last several years and passed away following surgery while at Bay Park Hospital. His father, Joseph Valle, and his mother, Dessie (Tefft) Valle, predeceased him. Smokey was born in Ironville on June 10, 1926. He was a lake freighter captain and sailed on several ships, including the Gemini, Saturn and Jupiter. Smokey was highly regarded by his peers as a fine captain. He was a proud member of the VFW Post 9816 and the American Legion Arthur Daly Post 334. Smokey is survived by numerous cousins and friends and his special friends, Betty Collins and Jim Smart. There will be a special memorial service for Smokey Valle at the VFW Post 9816 located at 1802 Ashcroft Drive in Oregon on Friday, August 27, 2004, starting at 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for family and friends that would like to pay their last respects to Smokey. Any bequests on behalf of Smokey should be made out to the VFW Post 9816. Arrangements are being handled by the Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Homes. Visitation: Visitation Times