William Szedlar

William G. "Bill" Szedlar, 69, of Glen Carbon, Illinois passed away at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland. He was born July 6, 1942 in Granite City, the son of the late William Andrew and Bertha M. (Maitz) Szedlar.
He married Karen (Reiske) Szedlar on June 22, 1963 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Granite City and she survives. He was working as a revenue counter with Madison County Transit and had also worked as a chemical operator with Ethyl Corporation in Sauget and had retired from American Steel after many years of dedicated service as a machinist. He was of the Lutheran faith and took much pride in his yard. He enjoyed his days of traveling, campfires and picnics with his family. He and Karen enjoyed their many trips to Big Cedar Lodge in Branson. He will be remembered for the love of his grandchildren and the special times shared with his family and many friends.
In addition to his beloved wife of 49 years, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, William C. and Becky Szedlar of Montana, Brad C. and Kathryn Szedlar of Glen Carbon and Benjamin C. and Elaine Szedlar of Edwardsville; nine grandchildren, Kaitlin, Caleb, Noah, Hannah, Owen and Olivia Szedlar and Craig, Sean and Lauren Gavett and their families; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine E. and Donald Ballard of Carlyle; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Bill Stearns of Granite City; other extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Mary Szedlar and George and Mary Maitz and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Carl and Viola Reiske.
In celebration of his life, private services were held at Irwin Chapel of Glen Carbon. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Edwardsville.
In honor of Bill's love of trains, memorials may be made to the Museum of Transportation, 3015 Barrett Station Road in St. Louis, Missouri 63122 and may be accepted at the funeral home.
www.irwinchapel.com