Gust S. Vallas

 

Gust Vallas March 11, 1927 – April 21, 2021

In light of the current health situations, the services for Mr. Vallas will be Private and reserved for family only. Visitation and Funeral Service will take place all in one day at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Palos Hills and he will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery of Evergreen Park Illinois. The Vallas Family thanks you for your prayers, support, and especially your patience during this difficult time. Most of all they wish for you and your loved ones to remain safe. May His Memory be Eternal!

Gust Vallas, 94 of Orland Park, Illinois passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday morning, April 21. Beloved and caring husband of Mary (nee Kogos) for 71 years. Loving father of Sam (Anastasia), Paul (Sharon), Dean (Renee) and Marianne (Alex) Kountoures. Proud and devoted grandfather of Dean, Theo, Alexis, Paul, Gus, the late Mark, Michael, Alysia, Jamie, Evan, Nadia, Elena, and John. Proud great-grandfather of Damon, Benjamin, Eve and Ezekiel.

Gust was born in 1927 to Greek immigrant parents Sam and Keratso Valesares and he was raised with his late brother Peter Valesares in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. He worked delivering groceries from his father’s corner store and at 18 years old enlisted in the United States Army during WWII where he served in a military intelligence division in Germany.

Upon his return from the war, Gust married Mary Kogos, and while raising four children he received his degree from DePaul University on the G.I. Bill. He later passed the CPA exam and established a private practice. In 1972, Gust opened the Country House Restaurant in Alsip and a second one in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He entually left the restaurant business to work in the Cook County Assessor James Houlihan’s office as a Senior Analyst in the Commercial and Industrial Division where he remained for 10 years until his retirement at age 80.

Gust spent his later years reading and enjoying his wife, children, and grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his understated strength, wit, wisdom, and faith.

Due to the current health situation, visitation and services will be private and reserved for family only. Gust will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church .​ https://www.stconstantinehelen.org/ Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc. entrusted with all arrangements. For information please call 815/462-0711 or 815/260-0668.