SSG George Briddick, US Army (Ret.)

Staff Sgt. George I. Briddick, US Army (Retired)

Age 80 of Custer Park, passed away Saturday evening November 23, 2013 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno.

Born March 10, 1933 in Morris, George was a son of the late William S. and Catherine Mable Lloyd-Briddick. He was raised and educated in Morris. On March 20, 1950, George entered into service with the United States Army. He continued a career, honorably serving in the US Army throughout the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era. During his 23 tenure George earned the Army Occupational Medal, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, four Purple Heart Medals, one Bronze Star and one Silver Star, as well as various other duty citations, honors and accolades prior to his discharge on October 30, 1973. George was a lifetime member of Wilmington VFW Post 5422 and American Legion Post 191, belonged to Wilmington Moose Lodge 241 and was a member of College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais. George had a love for fishing and enjoyed salmon fishing in Canada. He also was a great Chicago Bears fan and took pleasure in watching westerns on T.V.

Survivors include his wife Diane, whom he married October 6, 2004; one son David Briddick of San Bernardino, California; stepchildren: Heidemarie (Sam) Murrell and Jody (Leonard) Love, both of Custer Park, Trudy (Greg) Lawrence of Joliet, Corrin (Mark) Bratschi of Charlotte, Michigan and Mitch (Kelly) Rohlfs of Naples, Florida; (13) grandchildren: Natalya Murrell, Sergei Murrell, Kyle (Tina) Rohlfs, Dana (Kevin) Logan, Erik (Lorrie) Toler, Russ (Candi) Toler, Tara Toler (fiancé – Nick Mueller), Zack Bratschi (fiancé – Caitlyn), Alex Bratschi, Dylan Bratschi, Mitchell Pahlke, August Rohlfs and Andrew Rohlfs; nine great grandchildren: Laura Rohlfs, Kyle Heywood, Kelsey Heywood, Olivia Toler, Owen Toler, Elijah Toler, Taylor Toler, Morgan Toler and Ryland Toler; one brother William Briddick of Godley; two nieces and one nephew.

George was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Tuesday November 26, 2013 between the hours of 4:00PM and 7:00PM at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Wednesday November 27th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Pastor Deborah Bell from College Church of the Nazarene officiating. Burial with full military honors provided the United States Army and the Wilmington VFW Honor Guard will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood at 11:30AM.

Pallbearers will be George’s grandsons: Erik Toler, Kyle Rohlfs, Russ Toler, Zack Bratschi, Alex Bratschi, Mitchell Pahlke and Dylan Bratschi.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in George’s memory to the Wilmington VFW Post 5422 or Wilmington American Legion Post 191, 557 West Baltimore Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or to a veteran’s charity of the donor’s choosing.

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)