Anthony Lira

Anthony S. Lira

"Tony"

Age 92 of Goose Lake and formerly Northlake, Illinois, passed away Wednesday December 3, 2008 at his home.

Born February 1, 1916 in St. James, Missouri, Tony was a son of the late Peter and Enrica Casella-Lira. He was raised and educated in St. James with eight brothers and sisters. On September 21, 1941 Tony married Frances M. Flaim at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Chicago. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theater of Operations and earned the Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal prior to his honorable discharge on November of 1945. For over 30 years Tony and Frances lived in Northlake, Illinois and later moved to Goose Lake after Tony retired from Austin Brothers Construction. Tony was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City and the Coal City Senior Citizens. He enjoyed gardening, cards, especially pinochle, bowling, woodworking, The Chicago Cubs, a beautiful sunset and his friends and family.

Survivors include his children: Anthony W. Lira of Elk Grove Village, Sherry (Alan) Sula of Goose Lake and Lynn (Jack) Parenti of Elmhurst; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother-in-law Alpino Prebianca of Goose Lake; one sister-in-law Grace Cook of Columbia, Missouri; daughter-in-law Sherilyn Lira of Prospect Heights and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife Frances in January of 1981; five brothers and three sisters.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Friday December 5, 2008 from 9:00AM until 10:30AM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City.

Funeral services will then follow at 11:00AM in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Ronald Hart officiating.

Burial will be in Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Tony's memory to the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815/634-2125)