Samuel J. LOMBARDO

Samuel J. Lombardo

DECATUR, IL - Samuel J. Lombardo, 86, of Decatur, Ill., passed away at 1:02 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, at Heritage Manor.

A memorial service to celebrate Sam's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at GT Church. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation one hour prior to the services at the church. Casual attire is requested by the family for Sam's services.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Latham Fire & Rescue.

Sam was born Sept. 17, 1928, in Springfield, Ill., the son of Saverio and Frances (Guzzardo) Lombardo. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the LST 1138 during WWII from 1943-1945. He married Agnes Disclafani on July 8, 1950. Sam began his working career as a steel worker in New York before moving to Decatur. In Decatur he was an expert mechanic working at Sherman Volkswagen. Then he worked as a machine operator at Borg Warner York Division and lastly as a set-up machine operator at Caterpillar Tractor Company. He was a member of GT Church where he and his wife were members of the Keenagers Bible Study Group. Sam enjoyed volunteering with the Latham Fire & Rescue, fishing, camping, flying RC airplanes, and eating Italian food; but, what he loved the most, was being with his family.

Sam is survived by his wife of 64 years, Agnes Lombardo, of Decatur, Ill.; son, Shevet "Joe" Lombardo and his wife, Barbara, of Latham, Ill.; daughter, Celeste Kohlbecker and her husband, Barry, of Decatur, Ill.; grandchildren: Stephen Bruce Lombardo of Odessa, Texas, Nicole R. Kohlbecker of Denver, Colo., and Rachel L. Kohlbecker of Bloomington, Ill. Sam leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, George Lombardo; twin granddaughters, Jody Marie and Amy Lombardo; brothers, Leo and George Lombardo; and sister, Agnes Rivera.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Evergreen Assisted Living Center, Heritage Manor and St. Mary's Hospital for the exceptional care that Sam received during his stays.

Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.