Leo Pestka, Sr.

Leo Pestka, Sr., 83, of Scheller, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 3:10A.M. at his home.

He was a farmer and had worked at A.O. Smith in Granite City and had also worked at U.S. Gypsum in Pinckneyville and Freeman Orient Mine #3.

He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and never missed a game. He loved visiting with neighbors and friends and playing pinochle.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Tamaroa, the Knights of Columbus at Du Bois and the UMWA.

He was born August 6, 1932, at Scheller, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Cecelia (Radake) Pestka.

He married Rose Marie Skorcz on July 21, 1951 and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Scheller, seven children- Leo J. Pestka, Jr. of Scheller, Diana Majewski and husband Jim of Scheller, Kevin Pestka and wife Lydia of Waverly, Tenn., Kathleen Rulevish and husband Ed of Scheller, David Pestka and wife Cathy of Tamaroa, Donald Pestka and wife Michelle of Scheller, Drs. Christa Pestka-Wong and husband Kirk of Marion, daughter-in-law, Laura Pestka of Scheller, one sister- Agnes Baughman of St. Louis, Mo., and one brother- John Pestka and wife Nancy of Du Quoin, 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons- Mark Pestka and Dean Pestka, one sister- Mary Tinsley and brothers- Mike, Ed, Frank and Joe Pestka, and two grandsons- Nathan Rulevish and Derek Majewski.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at the Immaculate Conception Church at Tamaroa with Fr. Joseph Oganda officiating.

Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery at Tamaroa.

Friends may make memorials to Masses, Marshall Browning Hospital Tree of Life or St. Jude’s Children Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.

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