- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1934
- Date Of Death: September 30, 2016
- State: Illinois
Val Gene Evischi, 82, of Wamac, IL passed away Friday, September 30 at his home with family by his side. He was born June 29, 1934, in Centralia, son of Ugo and Elda (Hoeinghaus) Evischi. He eloped with Martha (Sanders) Evischi on June 26, 1959, in Bonnie, IL and his bride of 57 years survives in Wamac.
Val is survived by two sons: Orlando and wife Oliva of Aurora, IL; and Deland and wife Pam of Centralia, IL: six grandchildren; Francesca and Julianna of Aurora, IL; Kenneth Valgene of Nashville, TN; Lainey of San Antonio, TX; and Charlie and Elle of Centralia, IL. He is also survived by two nephews: Jerry Evischi and wife Andrea; and Donnie Evischi and very special friend Sandra: two nieces; Lurinda Venezia and husband Larry of Bloomington, IL; and Kathleen Eller of Alma, IL; several cousins, great nieces, and nephews; and very close friends Ken Smudrick and Boomer Means of Centralia. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mondo Evischi, and two sisters, Irma Ganswind, and Vera Schaub.Val Gene was a lifelong resident of Wamac/Centralia.
He graduated from Trinity Lutheran Grade School and Centralia Township High School. He served in the US Army for two years from 1957-1959. He retired from the Illinois Central Railroad in 1997 after 42 years of service. He was quite the handyman and mechanic. He loved small engines and was in the lawn mower repair business for 50+ years up until his health wouldn’t allow him to work any longer in his favorite sanctuary, his garage. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Centralia Orphans fan and is no doubt already having a lively discussion on both subjects with brother Mondo. He was a loving husband, father, and grandpa who was so proud and supportive of his sons and grandchildren in all of their endeavors.
He was an avid outdoorsman who taught his boys to hunt and fish at an early age and to appreciate the great outdoors – from the family camping trips to Carlyle Lake and the Kaskaskia River to the annual extended family deer hunt down in Golconda in the Shawnee National Forest. His love for deer and turkey hunting was only overshadowed by his passion for crappie fishing. He loved his little blue truck which bore the most appropriate bumper sticker, “Have a Crappie Day”. He never once met a plate of biscuits and gravy that he didn’t like – and so appropriately had some of his very favorites from the Corner Cafe right before the Lord called him home. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
