Anthony Wasuleski
Anthony Wasuleski, 91, of rural Cypress, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at 7:05 p.m. at his home near Cypress.
He was born on Dec. 3, 1917, in Scranton, Pa., the son of Joseph Wasuleski and Dora Macieiski Wasuleski.
He married Iris Joan McElyea on July 14, 1949, in Benton. She preceded him in death on Sept. 8, 1984.
Survivors include three daughters, Toni Lynn “Pitty Pat” Newton, and her husband Randy, of Cypress, Michele Ann “Weskshe” McGill, and her husband Ronnie, of Simpson, and Trisha Gail “Tang” Fielder, and her husband Terry, of Cambria; a son, Gregory Anthony “Hammer” Wasuleski, and his wife Denise, of Dongola; 10 grandchildren, Matt and Katrina Snell, Jennie and Aubrey Edwards, Jodie Snell, Chad and Sabrina Wasuleski, Jared and Stephanie Wasuleski, Mandy and Ashby Tillery, Jeffery McGill, Dustin and Felicia King, Cody Fricks and Callie Yana; 17 great-grandchildren, Matthew Quimby, Zeke Snell, Gracie Snell, Gabriel Snell, Jacob Snell, Iris Rutherford, Amos Rutherford, Thomas Rutherford, Jenna Edwards, Haley Edwards, Luke Stepter, Emily Stepter, Michelle Wolford, Hunter Anthony Wasuleski, Claire Tillery, Noelle Tillery and Shelbie Stanley; a sister, Geneva Smith of Benton; a grandson-in-law, Derek Rutherford of Cypress; his main squeeze, Velma Warren of Cypress; two brothers-in-law, Ralph McElyea, and his wife Nancy, of Elgin, and James Carl McElyea of West Frankfort; two sisters-in-law, Dot Nolan, and her husband Jack, of Robinson, and Priscilla Rennie of West Frankfort; a very special niece, Staneta Owsley of Roxanne; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Becky Snell Rutherford; a great grandson, Wyatt Snell; a son-in-law, Tom Snell; a sister, Josephine Wasuleski; and two brothers, Joseph Wasuleski and Stanley Zalensky.
He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. He served from 1939-1945 in the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry “C” Company, and was discharged with the rank of sergeant. During his military career, he served in the African and European Theaters of Operation. He participated in campaigns in Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia and Sicily. He was wounded in combat on three different occasions and received the Purple Heart. He also received the Bronze Star Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Bronze Star Attachment (Triple) and Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button, and Expert Badge and Rifle Bar. He was a life member of the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 in Vienna; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Post No. 51 in Benton; a life member of the American Legion Post No. 487 in Chester; and the American Legion 40/8 Club.
He was employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections. He worked from 1949 to 1965 at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester and from 1965 until his retirement in 1981 at the Vienna Correctional Center, where he served as laundry industrial manager. He had a total of 32 years service with the State of Illinois.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Vienna. He was a Grand Knight Sir of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree.
He liked hunting, fishing, shopping, collecting coins, and spending time with his family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Vienna.
Burial was in the Friendship Cemetery near Dongola. Military graveside rites were conducted by Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 of Vienna and the Illinois burial honors detail.
Memorials can be made to the Illinois Veterans Home, 792 N. Main St., Anna, Ill. 62906.