Ronald Lee Hollembeak

"Pee Wee" Ronald Lee Hollembeak, 71, of Cherry Valley died Friday, July 30 at 1:37 p.m. from injuries in an automobile accident. He was born January 20, 1939 to Haskell (Stub) and Bessie Perryman Hollembeak, who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sally Murphy Hollembeak; son, Chad (Cheryl) Hollembeak of Cherry Valley and daughters, Jill Hollembeak of Chicago and Dawn Hollembeak of Austin, Texas. His brother, Gerald (Sharon) Hollembeak of South Beloit and South Padre Island also survives him. He was blessed with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. His extended family includes sisters and brothers-in-law, Pat and Bill Gorsuch, Kathy Sundberg, Mary Erickson, Terry and Sherry Murphy and Tim and Connie Murphy. His brother-in-law, Vance Sundberg and great-niece, Amelia Gorsuch also predeceased him.In 2004 Pee Wee was selected as Cherry Valleys Citizen of the Year. He was proud of living in Cherry Valley with his family and many friends and showed this by volunteering for numerous civic functions. He was the current President of the Cherry Valley Historical Society. He spent many hours working on the monuments at the cemetery in Cherry Valley, a project of the Historical Society.Although he retired from Ironworkers Local 498 in 2000, he never quit working. One of his passions was people, especially those who served this country in the military. He visited and interviewed veterans from WWII, Korea and Viet Nam and put their stories on video.Another passion was sports, especially basketball. Coach Doug Bruno of DePaul University dubbed him the "Happy Hooker" because of his ability to make hook shots from either direction. He also loved cars and was a former member of the car club, "Drag-ons" . Pee Wee was a lifelong member of the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church and was active in the Methodist Mens Group and was always a ready volunteer.Funeral service at 11 am, Wednesday, August 4, 2010 in Cherry Valley United Methodist Church with Rev. Monty Fox officiating. Burial in Cherry Valley Cemetery. Visitation from 5-8 pm Tuesday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and from 10 am until time of the service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church, 112 N. Cherry St., Cherry Valley, IL. 61016 or Honor Flight Chicago, (an organization that funds money to veterans so that they may visit Washington D. C. for a day of honor), 938W. Montana St. Chicago, IL. 60614Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com