Albert Mandula Jr.

STREATOR-  Albert C. “Gus” Mandula Jr. 88 of Streator died Saturday morning (Aug. 30, 2014) at Heritage Health, Streator.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM Thursday at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator with Monsignor Philip Halfacre, officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator, with a prayer service at 3:45 PM Wednesday. Burial with full military rites conducted by members of American Legion Post # 217 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1492 will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator.
Mr. Mandula was born Sept. 21, 1925 in Streator the son of Albert and Wilhelmina (Stuwe) Mandula . He married Joanne Rizzo, Feb. 27, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Church, Streator. She survives.
Gus had been employed at Libbey-Owens-Ford Co. Ottawa and later in sales for LaSalle County Packing Co. and Davenport Packing Co., retiring in 1990. He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church and currently a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church, he was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1492. He attended St. Stephen’s Grade School and was a graduate of Streator High School class of 1944. Following graduation he was drafted and served in the US Army Air Force as a belly turret gunner in a B-24 Liberator, serving in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign and then was transferred to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign in Burma, China and the Pacific.
Gus never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone in need.
He is survived by his wife Joanne, one daughter, Diane Mandula, Naples FL, one son Marty (Connie) Mandula, Bloomington, three grandchildren, J.B. (Lacy) Hedges, LaGrande OR, Holly Hedges, Bloomington and Alyssa Mandula, Chicago, also surviving is one sister Lee Neumann, Streator.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Memorials may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Church or to OSF Hospice.