Valgene E. “Val” Frye, 71, of East Slippery Rock Street, Chicora, entered his heavenly home at 1:44 p.m., Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Val was born at home in Rochester Mills to the late Blair G. and Edna (Leasure) Frye on June 24, 1941.

Val graduated from Marion Center High School with the Class of 1959. He went on to graduate from Butler County Community College with an A.A. degree in business management in 1982.

Val married the love of his life, Carolyn A. (Hosack) Frye on April 28, 1962, in Lickingville. The couple recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.

He was the loving father and proud Poppa of the following, one son, Gary E. Frye of Winchester, Va.; two daughters, Vicki S. Dunlap and her husband, Steve, of Tempe, Ariz., and Vonda K. Graham and her husband, Brian, of Chicora; four grandchildren, Lindsay M. Blose and her husband, Todd, of Ford City, Celeste and Zachary Graham of Chicora, and Kayleigh J. Hulbert of Tempe, Ariz.

Mr. Frye was a very dedicated, hard working man spanning a career service of 43 years. He worked 13 years on the B & O Railroad and 31 years at Penreco in Karns City. Val retired in 2003 as traffic manager for Penreco, enjoying his time with the company and many friends and business associates in the trucking/traffic industry.

Val was a longtime, devoted, and faithful member of St. John's Reformed Church in Chicora. At the church, he served his Lord and Savior as a deacon, elder, and Sunday school teacher. Val was always involved in caring and assisting in other aspects of serving the church and its members.

Val and his wife were foster parents with Butler Catholic Charities for three years. During this time, they gave five babies a beautiful home and tremendous love to start their young lives before final adoptions were approved. Val also volunteered his time and service hours to the Mental Health Association of Butler County. He was a representative-payee for elderly clients.

Mr. Frye was a member of the New Castle Traffic Club in New Castle. During his service years, he served as treasurer from 1992-1994 and as president in 1995-1996. Val was also associated with the Oil City Traffic Club for some years. He enjoyed making new friends and business acquaintances in these organizations.

After retirement, Val continued to contribute to his community. He was a loyal volunteer at Chicora Elementary School for seven years. Val assisted in the first grade classroom of Mrs. Marion Hall. He took great pride in volunteering and assisting students to be successful with reading and math.

In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Val is survived by three brothers, Paul Frye of Lakeland, Fla., Charles Frye and his wife, Hazel, of Mayville, N.Y., and Jerry Frye and his wife, Mary, of Rochester Mills; two sisters-in-law, Karen Frye of DuBois and Sarah Grace Hosack of Smicksburg; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Mr. Frye was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Imogene Griffith, and a brother, Don Frye.

FRYE — Friends of Valgene E. “Val” Frye, who died Thursday, May 16, 2013, will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. John's Reformed Church, 334 W. Slippery Rock Road, Chicora. A celebration of life service will follow at the church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. John H. Pistorius, church pastor, assisted by the Rev. Mark A. Wallace, pastor of the Chicora Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, officiating.Burial will be private for the family at Mahoning Union Cemetery, Marchand.In accordance with Val's wishes, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to CAM International, c/o Bob and Linda Duncan, 8625 LaPrada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228, or African Inland Mission, c/o Rev. Ralph Partelow, P.O. Box 3611, Peachtree City, GA 30269-7611, or the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service, P.O. Box F, Chicora, PA 16025.Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.