James V. Suda, 89, Gurnee, Illinois died on Sunday, September 20, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wadsworth, Illinois, with Rev. James Merold officiating, assisted by Rev. Keith Kitzhaber, of Marshfield, WI, a nephew and godson of James.
James was born on April 8, 1931 in rural Greenwood, Wisconsin to Vandy L. and Mary (Celesnik) Suda. He attended Oakland School in Greenwood. He worked in his father’s Cheese Factory until he was 14, when the family moved to a nearby farm. After 7 years, he entered the Army and served 2 years, with 18 months in Kaiserslautern, Germany with the 432nd Engineering Construction Battalion helping build roads and bridges that were destroyed during WWII. He was discharged in April 1954 and on June 23, 1954 married Jo Ann Kitzhaber at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenwood, Wisconsin. Three years later they moved to Gurnee, Illinois where he lived there the rest of his life. He spent his career building custom homes mainly in Gurnee and Waukegan, including his own home where he lived with his wife for 60 years.
There was no doubt James was the #1 Fan of the Green Bay Packers! He also loved fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking, making fishing lures and playing cards. He enjoyed telling fishing stories and entertained many people with those stories. He was known for always wanting “one more cast”!
James always had a twinkle in his eye for his loving wife of 66 years, Jo Ann.
He is survived by his wife, 5 children, Robert (Debra) Suda, Carole McNeilly, Donald (Terri) Suda, Laura Suda (Randy), and Cynthia (Pete) Furlan, 11 grandchildren, Russell Suda, Jennifer Suda, Renee Siddell, Olivia Kalnins, Stephanie Mattson, Lindsey Haan, Nicholas Suda, Rachel Key, and Austin, Jacob and Brianna Maldonado, 4 great grandchildren Tyler and Ella Mattson and Amberle and Ainsley Hanson, and 1 brother, George Suda. He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Theodore and Laurence, and 2 sisters, Sylvia (died in infancy) and Diane Berndt.
Visitation will take place at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, Illinois 60031. (847-336-0127) from 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, September 25, 2020. In consideration of the safety of our guests and associates, Marsh Funeral Home will adhere to the current gathering restrictions in the state of Illinois, which allow 50 or fewer guests at services. Proper social distancing must be practiced and all guests will be required to wear face masks at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.
Those attending mass at St. Patrick’s MUST register no later than Thursday night by calling (847) 244-4161, there is a maximum of 140 people allowed at mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James’ name to the St. Patrick Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Burial will be private.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MarshFuneralHome.com for the Suda family.
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