Emory J. Simko

SPRINGFIELD - Emory Joseph Simko, 88, of Springfield died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village.

Emory was born Aug. 1, 1919, the eighth child of Stephen and Mary Kafka Simko. He married Helen Little on Oct. 7, 1950; she preceded him in death on Sept. 13, 1951. He married Minnie Rees on May 30, 1959; she preceded him in death on Feb. 11, 1969.

Emory lived his early years on the Simko farm in Devereaux Heights on the north side of Springfield. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1939 and served for the duration of World War II as a carpenter's mate first class on the USS Blackhawk in the Asiatic Fleet. He was a carpenter in Springfield for 38 years and was a member of Carpenters Local 16. He was of the Catholic faith and was a lifelong member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

Emory loved his family and enjoyed baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, watching television, feeding the birds and squirrels and making waffles on the weekends. Grandpa had a great sense of humor and especially enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren. There was a bubblegum dish in the living room that was never empty. He was of a very strong Catholic faith, and he relied on that faith to help him persevere through the difficult times. He was loved by his family and many friends and he will be greatly missed.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Stephen, Andy, Frank, John and Louis; and his sisters, Mary, Sister Ann, Regina and Catherine.

He is survived by his daughters, Rosemary (husband, Ron) Gain of Mesa, Ariz., and Sharon (husband, Kenneth S.) Moorman of Springfield; his son, Joseph (wife, Rebecca) Simko of Sherman; six grandchildren, Bill (wife, Lori) Cour of Springfield, Jeanie MacKenzie (companion, Rod Brandt) and Eddie Sullenger (fiancee, Amy Forgas), all of Auburn, Michelle (husband, Aaron) Thompson of El Paso, Texas, and Mary Reynolds and Nathan Simko of Sherman; eight great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Ryan, Karlie, Kylie, Elise, Austin, Kasey and Justin; two brothers, Jim (wife, Sue) Simko of Springfield and Tom (wife, Sharon) Simko of Galt, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 5 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2119 N. 20th St., with the Rev. Mark Schulte celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, where the U.S. Navy will conduct military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic School, 2125 N. 21st St., Springfield, IL 62702.

Please visit his online life story at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.