Dorothy Valatka
Dorothy (Mancheski) Valatka, 88, Elyria, Ohio, died Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Private services were held in Elyria, Ohio.
Mrs. Valatka was born Nov. 8, 1929, in Stevens Point, a daughter of the late John and Luella (Zwaska) Mancheski. She was a graduate of P J Jacobs High School.
She went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 to 1952 where she was one of the first female soldiers to work as a control tower operator.
She graduated from Kent State University and was among the first class of Head Start Teachers. She received a Master’s Degree in Education and taught school in Ohio.
Survivors include seven children Audrey (Dave) Rickey, Bill (Sue) Valatka, Matthew (Aileen) Valatka, David (Dana) Valatka, Alex Valatka, Connie (John) Henry and Mary (Larry) Kline; one brother, Fred (Judith) Mancheski; two sisters, Ruth (Don) Komasa and Mary Tech; two sisters-in-law Alice Mancheski and Diane Mancheski; 19 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joe; and two brothers, Robert and Stanley (Skip).