John J. Kosco, Sr.

Herrin- John J. Kosco, Sr., 87, of Herrin, passed away at 1:29 PM, Saturday, May 12, 2012 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. John was born on October 1, 1924 to Alexander and Mary Kosco in Terra Haute, IN. He married Zelia P. Zee Lenne on September 7, 1947 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Terre Haute, Indiana. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2011. John was a WWII Army/Air Force Veteran who was stationed in the Philippines, Japan, western Pacific and the Asiatic Pacific theatre. After his honorable discharge he returned stateside and was employed as an electrician from 1947-1963. He retired in 1983 from the Marion Federal Penitentiary after more than 20 years in the prison system. After retirement he worked eighteen years at Ace Hardware in Herrin. He enjoyed spending the last year travelling around and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Kosco was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, where he proudly sat on the first pew. He was a fourth degree knight in the Knights of Columbus. In his spare time, he enjoyed stained glass, youth sports, gardening and home improvement projects. Survivors include: Five sons- John and Jeanne Kosco, Jr. of Brownsburg, IN Steve and Jennifer Kosco of Herrin, IL Paul Kosco and Robbie Spears of Herrin, IL Bob and Sheilah Kosco of Manor, Texas Jim and Tina Kosco of Johnston City, IL Daughter- Mary Katherine and Kristofer Dahlin of Murfreesboro, TN Thirteen grandchildren- Tisha Kosco Jessica (Kosco) Schwab and husband Nick John Kosco III and wife Dana Amy (Kosco) Shapkoff and husband Scott Kelley Kosco Gabriel Kosco Jr. and wife Diana Kendra (Kosco) Morgan and husband Daniel Mary Rose (Kosco) Greer and husband Robert Emily (Kosco) Rabalais and husband Paul Jeffrey Kosco Sarah Kosco Rebekah Kosco Zackary Kosco Thirteen Great Grandchildren- Tyler Kosco-Walsh, Austin Starkweather, Alyx Starkweather, Blake Starkweather, Shane Shapkoff, Cerise Shapkoff, Kaitlyn Kosco, Steven Kosco, Gabriel Kosco, Aidan Joseph Schwab, Madison Greer and Drake and Ben Allison. Numerous nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, seven brothers and sisters A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Thursday, May 17, 2012 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 6-9pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. The Knights of Columbus will perform a Fourth Degree Honor Guard Ceremony, Wednesday Evening. A visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM-10:45am on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church Education Foundation. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S 13th Street; Herrin, IL 62948.