Madura, Joseph

Joseph J. Madura, 97, of Summerfield, died Thursday, July 22, 2010 at Countryside Manor in Aviston. He was born November 19, 1912 in E. St. Louis, IL, son of Paul and Mary (Sloma) Madura. He married Stella A. Klich on January 28, 1936 in Belleville and she preceded him in death on June 20, 2009. He is survived by a daughter, Rose Marie Rebello of Troy, and her friend, John Ziska of Smithton; a son, Donald J. (Judy) Madura of Jennings, MO; four grandchildren, Marilyn (Rick) Zobrist, Ken (Sherry) Sullivan, Michael Madura, and Rebecca (Brian) Koester; 9 great-grandchildren, Erica (Mike) Cabrera, Erin (Blake) Rinderer, Blake Zobrist, Samantha Koester, Collin Sullivan, Patrick (Sarah) Sullivan, Christopher Sullivan, Claire Sullivan, and Grace Sullivan; 9 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Leo (Anne) Madura of Fairview Heights; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jane Renth of Mascoutah, Bernice Duecker of Baldwin, Loretta McMillian of Venedy, Frances Renth of Nashville, Mary Ann & Joseph Klohr of Belleville, Teresa & Carl Pendegraft of Lebanon, Dorothy Renth of Mascoutah, Patricia Duetsch of Shiloh, and Steve Klich of Ashley; and also survived by nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Sam Rebello; a sister, Mary Madura in infancy; three brothers, Steve Madura in infancy, Walter Madura, and Frank Madura; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ellen Madura, Ralph O. Renth, Paul Duecker, James McMillian, Arthur “Jr” Renth, Russell Renth, Dennis Duetsch, Agnes Klich, Helen C. & Jeff Ismail, John Klich, and Joseph Klich. Mr. Madura worked at Armour Meat Packing Plant in National City and was also a grounds keeper for Mt. Hope Cemetery in Belleville and Summerfield Cemetery in Summerfield. He was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Lebanon, and the PNA (Polish National Alliance). He was an avid gardener and proud of his Big Bertha peppers. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2010 at St. Joseph Church in Lebanon with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lebanon. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston, and from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Monday, July 26, 2010 at St. Joseph Church in Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aviston Countryside Manor Activity Fund or to Camp Ondessonk and will be received at the funeral home.