Dr. Edward W. Kwedar

Dr. Edward W. Kwedar, 79, died on January 1, 2011 at his home in Springfield. He was born on a farm near Pana, IL on January 27, 1931, the son of Thomas and Victoria Shupenus Kwedar. He married Dorothy Lashmet in Evanston, IL on December 28, 1957. She preceded him in death in July, 2004. A son, Thomas Carl, also preceded him in death in August, 1966. Dr. Kwedar received his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and his M.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1955. After completing an internship in Evanston, he entered the medical corps of the Regular Army in July, 1956 and served on active duty until January, 1964. During his military service he completed a residency in ophthalmology at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. His last duty station was Chief of Ophthalmology at Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu, HI. He was in a private practice in ophthalmology in Springfield from January, 1964 to July, 1989 when he became a full-time faculty member of the SIU School of Medicine. He retired in December, 1997. He is survived by one son and three daughters; Dr. John (Sharon) Kwedar of Springfield; Susan (Scott) Homa of Morton; Drs. Kathryn (Mason) Copeland of Brownsburg, IN; Elizabeth (Edwin) Roland of Chatham, NJ; eighteen grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister, Helen Welsh of Taylorville and a good friend, Rotha Dickey of Decatur. He loved his children and grandchildren and was a very active part of their lives. Dr. Kwedar was a member of the AMA, Illinois State Medical Society and the Sangamon County Medical Society. He was also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and The Society of Military Ophthalmologists. He was a life-time member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and was an avid Illini fan. He was also a long-time member of the Island Bay Yacht Club and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden Association. He was a member of the charter class of volunteers at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Family will receive friends from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield with Msgr. John R. Ossola, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Saint Joseph's Home of Springfield, 3306 S. 6th St. Rd., Springfield, IL 62703; or the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden Association, 2301 East Lake Dr., Springfield, IL 62707.