Carl Vallow

Carl B. Vallow, 94, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Tuesday morning, December 13, 2022 at the Chambersburg Hospital. Born June 27, 1928 in Kinmundy, Marion County, Illinois, he was the son of the late Jesse Norris (JN) Vallow, long term Publisher/Editor of “The Kinmundy Express”, a weekly newspaper in Southern Illinois, and the late Jessie Avis (Backensto) Vallow.

Aside from his beloved spouse of 61 years, Leah Louise (Williams) Vallow who preceded him in death on November 13, 2009, he was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Joseph G. Vallow and a sister, Annette (Vallow) Pagano. The last of his immediate family, he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Vallow.

He is survived by five children, Bernard J. Vallow and his wife Connie of Jacksonville, Florida, Les W. Vallow and his wife Diane of Sun City, Arizona, John W. Vallow and his wife Jane of Cleveland, Tennessee, Alan N. Vallow and his wife Troylene of Lodi, California, and Alice Ann (Vallow) Gudgeon of Frederick, Maryland; one son-in-law, Grant Gudgeon of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Mr. Vallow was a journeyman printer having learned his trade in his father’s shop. Schools he attended include Kinmundy, Illinois elementary and high schools; Centralia, Illinois Township Junior College; University of Illinois, School of Journalism as a Publication Management major. He retired as Plant Manager of the former James River (American Can Company) food carton packaging plant in 1991. His entire employment experience was in Graphic Arts and Folding Carton management which spanned a 37-year period. Managerial positions were held in Wisconsin, Kentucky, California, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania in the same business with mergers of Marathon Corporation to American Can Company to James River Corporation to Fort James Corporation to Georgia-Pacific Corporation to Koch Resources. At the time of death, he was the owner of Val/You Publication, a not-for-profit design and publication service for benevolent groups and a foreign Prison Ministry group.

He was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church; Ancient Free & Accepted Mason of Illinois #398; George Washington Lodge #143 Free & Accepted Masons; Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Harrisburg; Zembo Shrine Temple; High Twelve International; and the American Association of Retired Persons. His past community activities include Shippensburg University Foundation Associate, Shippensburg University College of Business Advisory Board, Shippensburg University College of Business Dean’s Circle Associate; Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, Director and Chairman of the Industry Council; Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); Penn State Mont Alto Advisory Board; Private Industry Council of Franklin County, Director and initial executive group officer; and Chambersburg Area YMCA Board of Directors; Shared Mobile Services (a hospital service) Board of Directors; Executive Committee of Chambersburg Hospital Health Services, Secretary.

There will be a public graveside service at 9:30 AM on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Parklawns Memorial Gardens, 3218 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA. A Masonic service will be conducted by members of George Washington Lodge #143 F&AM at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Otterbein United Methodist Church, 61 West Main Street, Fayetteville, PA. A memorial service will immediately follow in the church sanctuary with Pastor Bill Smith officiating.

The family kindly requests the omission of flowers and asks that any memorial contributions be made to The Gideon’s International, PO Box 301, Chambersburg, PA 17201 or a food pantry of donor’s choice.