Herrin- John “J.C.” Garavalia, age 85, of rural Carbondale, passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
John was born in Pinckneyville on April 9, 1931, the son of Angelo and Wilma (Runion) Garavalia. He married Carol Gatewood on March 10, 2000 in Carbondale. She survives.
J.C. retired from Southern Illinois University, where he worked as an administrator.
Mr. Garavalia was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. He was a United States Air Force Veteran having served in the Korean War. J.C. was also a member of the Rotary International Club of Carbondale and the Southern Illinois University Alumni Association.
Survivors include his loving wife- Carol Garavalia of Carbondale
Son- Brian and Linda Garavalia of Claremont, CA
Step-sons- David and Julie Boucher of Murphysboro
Kevin and Loraine Boucher of Murphysboro
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife- Carolyn Garavalia, and son- Marc Garavalia.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on Monday, September 12, 2016 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. Visitation will be held from 3-6pm on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin.
For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel- New School Fund. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13
th Street; Herrin, IL 62948. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit
www.hughesfuneralhomes.com