Edwin Viglia, Sr

Edwin P. Viglia Sr.

Age 95, of Coal City, Illinois, passed away Sunday, February 22 at Bickford House of Bourbonnais.

He was born November 15, 1919 in Braidwood, Illinois, where he attended the Braidwood School System. He played forward with the famous Braidwood basketball team of 1938 which went to the state tournament by beating all district, regional, and sectional contenders to join the Sweet Sixteen and play for the state championship in Champaign, Il. The team was comprised of 10 boys from a class of only 45, and with total enrollment of only 96 pupils the school was the smallest in state history to enter the finals. Playing against schools many times larger, the Reed Custer Comets fought through to the championship game, finishing second in a close game with Dundee, one of the biggest schools in the state. Edwin enlisted in the Army April 22, 1941 and was Honorably Discharged September 23, 1945. While in the Army he received the American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, four Overseas Service Bars, one Service Strip and Good Conduct Medal. In later years he enjoyed the game of golf, and was proud to have made a hole in one at Dwight Country Club.

March 18, 1943, Edwin married Margaret Brancato of Coal City, Illinois. Upon discharge from the Army they made their home in Coal City, Illinois. Edwin was employed and retired from Caterpillar, Joliet, Illinois in 1981 after working there for 28 years.

Surviving are his son, Edwin (Susan) P. Viglia Jr., Bourbonnais, Illinois and daughter, Janis (A.J.) Gagliardo of Coal City, Illinois, four grandchildren, Jill Gagliardo of Seattle, Washington, Deanna (Gary) Cisneros of Swansboro, North Carolina, Edwin (Caroline) Viglia III of Kankakee, Illinois and Aron Gagliardo (Lawanda Velez) of Coal City, Illinois, four great-grandchildren, Abigail and Nicholas Viglia and Isabella and Gabriel Cisneros, with another expected in April, sisters-in-law, Avis Brancato and Edith Kinsella and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, his parents, Angelina Viglia, Dominic (Viola) Viglia, brother, Ronald Viglia and sister-in-law, Lucille Viglia.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service 11:00 a.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway in Coal City. Rev. Robert Noesen will officiate and burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery.

Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be: Jill Gagliardo, Aron Gagliardo, Deanna Cisneros, Edwin Viglia III, Carolyn Viglia, Phil McLuckie, Rich McLuckie, Brad Brancato and Nick Kinsella

Preferred memorials may be made to: The American Diabetes Association, The American Heart Association or to Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

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

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