John Nagy
Moro |
Dateline: Moro
John Stephen Nagy, 85, entered eternal rest, Friday, November 6, 2015 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Alton.
He was born in Divernon, IL on January 9, 1930, the son of Hungarian immigrants, Frank and Theresa (Csak) Nagy Sr. Following the death of his mother, when he was 18 months old, he and his brothers resided at the Catholic Children’s Home, in Alton during the school year, returning to their beloved Divernon for the summers. He graduated high school from St. James Trade School in Springfield, Where he worked in the automotive shop and enjoyed playing football.
He married Helen L. Olson on November 24, 1956 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto. She survives in Moro.
John served his country during the Korean War, serving four years in the Navy, aboard the U.S.S. Piedmont. Following his discharge from the Navy, he joined the Air Force Reserves.
He worked at Sears and as an agent for Ozark Air Lines before spending 40 years at Illinois Power Company, retiring in February of 1994. John was very proud of his Hungarian heritage, his military service and his family. He always kept busy with his projects and “fixing things—his way”. He enjoyed wood working, his yard crossword puzzles, spending time with his family and friends and most of all his “Baby” (his cat). A faith filled servant, he was a long time member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto, where he had served as an usher for 40 years, was a member of the building and grounds committee and served as an altar server for funerals.
In addition to his wife of 59 years, he will be loved and missed by his four children, Stephany (Dane) Dooley of Plainview, IL, Krista Byers of Wood River, Stephen (Marcia) Nagy of Brighton and John Nagy of Alton; nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, Shannon Byers Fenoglio and daughter Lauryn of Granite City, TSgt. Gabriel Swift (Rachel) and sons James and Steven of Miami, FL, Sara Nagy Medford and children, Allison and Luke of Medora, Josh (Melody) Swift and children, Ella and Isaac of Bunker Hill, Kari Nagy (Cody) Hanold and children, Layna, Evan and Hayden of Brighton, Randi Byers (Brad) Paslay and Children, Nolan and Adisyn of Bethalto, Zach Swift of Plainview, Jessica Nagy (Kevin) Alward and daughters, Miley, Maci and Kate of Medora and PV2 Dustin Nagy of San Angelo, TX; brothers Frank (June) Nagy of Alton and Jim (Marilyn) Nagy of Jacksonville, IL; sisters-in-laws, Dorothy Nagy of Alton, Carole Olson Richardson of Trenton, IL, and Sue Olson (David) Bail of Temecula, CA, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and many treasured friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Mathilda and brothers, Joseph and William, his in-laws, Clarence and Flora Olson, brother-in-law, Kenneth Richardson, grandson, Tyson Byers, and infant Swift and great granddaughter Kaylee Hausman.
Visitation will be from 4 pm to 7 pm Tuesday day, November 10, 2015 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, with a 3:30 pm rosary service.
A funeral Mass at 11 am Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Father Tom Liebler officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto with military rites given by Alton VFW Post 1308.
The Patriot Guard will be present to honor John’s military service and his patriotic heart. His grandsons and nephew, (Robert and Dennis Nagy) will be serving as pallbearers and his granddaughters as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to OLQP Catholic Church, School Angel Fund and or the Catholic Children’s Home
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
