Edward M. Kulesza, 84, of Vandalia, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia.
Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Logue officiating. Burial will follow at Green-Hill Cemetery in rural Fillmore, with military rites by Crawford-Hale Post 95 and Brownstown VFW Post 9770.
Mr. Kulesza was born April 2, 1935, in East St. Louis, the son of Edward J. and Lottie (Kryuske) Kulesza. He married Deanna L. Snow on April 29, 1962, in Vandalia, and she survives.
A 1953 graduate of Central Catholic High School in East St. Louis, he attended college at SIU in Carbondale for two years. He had been a member of Bethel Baptist Church since 1972, and a U.S. Army Korean SP4 veteran.
He was formerly employed at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, MO, for three years, following the service. He farmed for 30 years in rural Vandalia and Fillmore. He later worked for Woolsey Brothers for 18 years as a nurse tank driver.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Matthew Kulesza of Effingham and Raymond "Ray" Kulesza of Vandalia; grandchildren, Lucas Kulesza and Justin Kulesza; stepgrandchildren, Sara Wilson and Jimmy and Kristina Verdeyen; great-grandchildren, Mason Kulesza and Kingston Kulesza; stepgreat-grandchildren, Maci and Layni Wilson; and sister, Mary J. Diehl-Evans of North Carolina.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandchild, Sarah Kulesza.
Memorials may be made to Green-Hill Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.millerfh.net.
