Edward Vallus

POLAND - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Joseph the Provider Church for Edward G. Vallus, 79, who passed away Wednesday morning at his home.

Eddie was born Sept. 2, 1936, in Youngstown, a son of the late Joseph and Katherina (Gayan) Vallus.

Eddie began playing the accordion at age 12. Given his Slovak heritage, it was only natural that he learned to play the Slovenian-style polka music from his parents home country. At age 14, Eddie and some neighborhood friends started a kid band call the Streamliners and played weddings and school functions. This continued until 1953 when Eddie joined the Johnny Butchko's Polka Band along with Joe Fedorchak for 11 years. The Butchko Band began playing on local television. The group's regular Sunday show, "Polka Party" was the first live show to air over Channel 27.

In 1963, Eddie formed his own band and they stayed together for 18 years. On New Year's Eve of 1992, Eddie debuted his new band, The Eddie Vallus Band II. Through the years, Eddie and the band appeared on television shows and did Polka Masses five to six times a year. He taught music at the Dusi Music Co. for 18 years and later the Chirchiglia House of Music. Also, he taught students at his home. Eddie recorded 12 albums and wrote over 48 polkas and waltzes for family and friends. He was known as the "Waltz King."

In addition to his band leadership, he published five music books for the accordion and hosted a radio show called "Polka Showcase," with Johnny Ross in 1995. He wrote a song for Youngstown in 1985, titled "Y-Town Youngstown," and also recorded songs for the Cleveland Browns and Kelly Pavlik. Johnny Pecon, Frank Yankovic, Flaco Jimanez and Slavko Avsenik, to name a few, were some of the musicians he idolized. Eddie dedicated his whole life to the music he loved, polkas and waltzes.

Eddie was a 1954 graduate of Chaney High School and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He worked for Mahoning County as a VA service officer for 35 years, retiring in 1995. An active parishoner of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Joseph the Provider Church, he was a member of the Men's Club, Holy Name Society, Festival committee, assisted with making pierogies and was also a lector. Eddie was a fourth degree Knights of Columbus, a charter member of the Pennsylvania-Ohio Polka Pals, a member of the SNPJ Lodge No. 770 and the American Federation of Musicians Local 86-242 for 53 years. Awarded various distinctions throughout his musical career, Eddie, was recognized as POPPS "Man of the Year," in 1993 and was inducted into the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame in 2003.

Eddie leaves his wife of 53 years, the former Patricia A. Tancabel ,whom he married May 5, 1962; three daughters, Kimberly Vallus at home in Poland, Christina Mollenkopf of Bessemer, Pa., and Kelly (John) Mesaros of Campbell; five grandchildren, Charissa, Cayla, Cory, Anthony and Alexis; and a sister, Irene Fedoruk of Youngstown.

Eddie was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Thomas, Anna Tumpak, Kay Shabella, Margie Gallo, and Theresa Duffy; two brothers, Joe Vallus and Bobby Chmura; and his Yorkie, Little Bit, who he absolutely adored.

Family and friends may call Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, and Monday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.