Onorio Gherardini

Onorio Gherardini, 94 years and 10 months, of Cherokee Village, AR formerly of Centralia, passed away at 8:38 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2015 in Cherokee Village. Onorio was born June 22, 1920, in Wamac, IL, son of Emilio and Erminia (Grotti) Gherardini. Onorio married Suzanne (Sundermeyer) Cruzen on November 24, 1967 at First Christian Church in Centralia, IL. Onorio Gherardini is survived by his wife Suzanne Gherardini of Cherokee Village, AR; son, Greg (Nancy) Cruzen of Tulsa, OK; daughter, Kim (Tim) Copple of Centralia, IL; grandchildren: Tim (Stevie) Miller of Arvada, CO; Michael (Diane) Miller of Glendale, CA; Matthew Copple of Centralia, IL; Kacie (Ryan) McIntosh of Carlyle, IL; Krista (Jeff) Sherrill of Sperry, OK; David (Kyleigh) Klein of Tulsa, OK; Katie (Tim) Fahrenbach of Tulsa, OK; Charlotte (Eric) Howard of Nashville, TN; great grandchildren: Aden and Ashton Miller, Sean and Isabella Miller, Laney McIntosh, Maisie and Liam Burke, Sydney and Isaac Sherill, Isaak Duke, Skyler Klein, Mason Fahrenbach, William and David Howard ; one sister, Marie Miller of Centralia, IL; two sister-in-laws, Judy Lander and Becky Frattini of Joliet, IL, many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Onorio was preceeded in death by his parents, two sisters: Ofelia Brandonisio and Olanda Riley; one brother, Hubert Gherardini, three brother-in-laws, Donnie Sundermeyer, Ernie Sundermeyer and Marion C. Miller; two sister-in-laws: Gwen Ward and Martha Ann Gherardini. Onorio was employed for 39 years as a Carman for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. He was an income tax preparer for many years, even into retirement. He lived most of his life in Centralia, IL before retiring to Cherokee Village, AR in 1980. He served his country in WWII, receiving a combat infantry badge, three bronze stars and numerous metals from the South Pacific campaigns. Onorio had an extensive career in golf, winning the Southern Illinois Golf Association Championship in 1956. After retirement, he was a golf instructor in Cherokee Village and neighboring country clubs. Onorio was a member of Word Works Ministry in Cherokee Village. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather that will be missed by all who loved him. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Lakeside Chapel in Centralia. Entombment will follow at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Military Honors will be accorded at the gravesite by the American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Way of Life Church Building Fund and will be accepted at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, which is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.

Onorio Gherardini

June 22, 1920 - April 26, 2015