Edward John Kary

Edward John Kary, 92 of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Rochelle, IL, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Cecelia, on October 16, 2025. He was born on July 20, 1933 in Mandan, ND to Anton and Pauline (Doll) Kary. Edward proudly served his country in the Army National Guard in the Signal Corps, stationed in Africa. Edward met Charity on a date set up by friends and the two fell quickly in love and were married on February 16, 1957 in Bismark, ND. They made their home and raised their eight children in Rochelle, IL where they attended St Patrick Catholic Church. Edward worked his whole life as a union painter at NIU in DeKalb, IL. He also worked part-time bartending at Chucks Tavern to help support his growing family. Ed was super outgoing, likeable and made friends easily. After retiring, he and Charity moved to AZ. With sunny, warmer days, you could find him biking to daily mass, singing with his barbershop quartet, and floating in the pool; he always sported the best tan. Ed loved life, loved music, (#1 Jazz), loved his Catholic faith, and loved his family deeply. If you knew Ed, you knew he was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan. From their first season in 1961 until present, every year he would hope and pray this was going to be "The Year" his team would finally win a Superbowl. Maybe, just maybe this will be the "Year." God's will be done! He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Parish in Green Valley, AZ before moving to Tucson in 2015. Edward is survived by his children: Mary "Kitty" Buesteton, Cecelia "Cissy" Jones, Andrew Kary, Kathleen (Sam) Berkes, Colleen (Tony) Barker, Daniel Kary, and Benjamin Kary; grandchildren: Brian Buesteton, Emily Kelley, Brandon Jones, Kevin (Mary) Jones, Julia (fiance, Orelando Collier) and Ryan Jones; Adam (Emily) Kary, Megan (Ben) Valdevieso, Melanie (Jake) Fransen; Bridget Berkes (fiance, Kyle Higham) and Amanda Berkes; Rebekah (Josh) Meyer, and Charity (Blake) Ragon; and Cody (Mikenzie) Kary; 25 great-grandchildren, with another one on the way; two great-great grandchildren and two sisters: Bertha "Bertie" Bertrams of Chico, CA, and Janet (Mark) Bowers of Rochelle, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charity in 2014; eldest son, Christopher Kary; son-in-law, John Buesteton; great- grandson, Caleb Tewksbury; and three sisters: Onie Kary, Angeline May, and Annette Kary. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 236 Kelley Dr., Rochelle, IL with Father Jeremy Trowbridge officiating. Immediately following the funeral, burial will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Rochelle with fully military honors provided by the Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard. The visitation will take place on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.