Herkimer - Alfred L."Sonny" VanValkenburg, 61, of Marion Street, died on Monday evening,September 4, 2000 in Little Falls Hospital. He was born on December 20, 1938, inRichfield Springs, son of the late Alfred Lewis and Eleanor RobertsVanValkenburg. Raised and educated in Richfield Springs, he graduated fromRichfield Springs High School, and Mohawk Valley Community College. In 1956 heenlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. He was honorablydischarged in February 1959. On June 18, 1966 the Reverend Forest L. Deckerunited him in marriage to Carol Sluyter in the Herkimer Reformed Church. For 16years he was employed with Mohawk Data Science as the Shipping/ReceivingSupervisor and for 10 years he worked for the Little Falls US Post Officeretiring in 1998. Al loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman and hunter. Heenjoyed recreational golf, and was most proud of his baseball achievement. In1956 the Brooklyn Dodgers drafted him. He was a former member and past master ofHerkimer Lodge #423 F.&.A.M., and past Patron of the Amaranth. Surviving beside his wife Carol of 34years, are one son Robert L. and his wife Catherine VanValkenburg of Roselle,IL; two daughters, Donna and her husband James Hartman, and Tracey Massaro allof Herkimer; 6 grandchildren; Matthew, Adam, Kara, Michelle Hartman, NicoleMassaro, Cameron VanValkenburg, a special aunt and uncle Catherine and WilliamHughes of Zephyr Hills, FL and many aunts uncles and cousins. Besides hisparents his brother Robert preceded him in death in 1950. Funeral service will be on Thursday at11:00 a.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer with theReverend Christine Battjes, pastor of the Herkimer Reformed Church officiating.Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Richfield Spring. Calling hours onWednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. Memorial donation may be made to theAmerican Cancer Society or MOVAC. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The family wishes to express theirgratitude to Dr. Chahfe, Dr. Butala, Dr. V. Sharma, Dr. Sherman and all theoffice staff for the tender care and compassionate given to Al and his familyduring his illness.