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Submitted: 9/10/23 • Approved: 9/18/23 • Last Updated: 9/21/23 • R275370-G275370-S3
Section Willow
Valeri Chernatinski
February 27, 1964 - November 19, 2022
Valeri Chernatinski, 58, passed away November 19, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Valeri Chernatinski was born February 27, 1964 to Anton and Nadia (Chorna) Cherniatynsky in Romaniv (prev. Dzerzhinsk), Zhytomyr, Ukraine. He had 5 brothers and 2 sisters. He was known as a respectful child who always helped his parents. His favorite subjects at school were botany, history, and gym. On January 7 at the age of 15 he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior, was baptized at 17, and spent the rest of his days serving Christ wholeheartedly. From the age of 18 to 20, he worked construction for the Soviet Army in Lithuania. After discharge, he spent 3 months repairing railroads by the Ural Mountains and sent all of his earnings to his parents. In search of a stable job, he worked construction in Latvia for a year. Then lived in Estonia from 1984 to 1992. He met the love of his life, Irena Dumansky, in Estonia and they married on November 18, 1989. A year later they welcomed the birth of their son, Vitold. In July of 1992 they immigrated to the United States in order to escape the oppressive Soviet regime. The following year they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Margaret. They became United States citizens in 2005. In the United States, Valeri primarily worked for Peters landscaping and AAA painting. He was a hard and diligent worker, built strong relationships with his work family, and enjoyed his interactions with his customers.
Loving and serving God was the center of Valeri’s life. He loved to read the Bible, pray, and help others in any capacity he could. Valeri dedicated much of his life to the church. During his first years in the United States, he ushered and preached at the First Slavic Church. He later assisted in founding New Life Church where he ministered in many roles but mainly as a deacon. In 2007, he became a member of Sioux Falls First church where he attended faithfully, ushered, and served on the Deacon Board for 3 years. Valeri also served Christ through missions. He traveled to Mexico and Ukraine to help with construction projects, medical missions, and children’s camps. During his trips to Ukraine, he often traveled back to his home town where he ministered and provided clothing and financial support. He, along with his wife, served as board members of the ministry Arise Ukraine. They had a significant role in arranging and facilitating numerous clothing drives and charitable events such as An Evening in Ukraine.
Valeri was a devoted family man. His greatest pride in life was being a grandfather and father. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family and his love of nature was contagious. He was known as the family handyman and enjoyed helping family and friends with various projects. Most importantly, he encouraged his family to follow and serve Jesus.
Valeri was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be missed immensely by so many. We are comforted by the promise that we will see him again in heaven.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Irena, son Vitold (Sarah) Chernatinski, Margaret (Braden) Pottratz, grandchildren Kai and Elealeh, brothers Viktor (Liuda) Cherniatynskyi, Igor (Valentina) Cherniatynskyi, Aleksandr (Svitlana) Cherniatynskyi, multiple nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his sister Liudmyla, an infant sister, brother Leonid, and parents Nadia and Anton.
Funeral Services will be held 10 am, Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Sioux Falls First. Visitation will be held 6-8 pm, Friday, November 25, 2022 at Heritage Funeral Home. www.heritagesfsd.com
Contributed on 9/10/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275370