Ike F. Fanale

SPRINGFIELD – Ike F. Fanale, 93, of Springfield died at 9:06 p.m. Sunday, February 7, 2010, at Memorial Medical Center.

He was born June 5, 1916, in Riverton to Achille and Asunta Gentile Fanale. He married Evelyn B. Ursini on May 5, 1956; and she survives him.

He is also survived by 1 son, Robert J. Fanale of Springfield; 1 sister, Dora Scardello of Olathe, KS; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Loretta Fanale and Gloria Szoke; and 1 brother, Michael J. Fanale.

He was raised in Riverton, IL, attended Riverton High School and moved to Springfield after marriage. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII serving from 1941-1946. Mr. Fanale retired from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, where he had worked from 1972-1981. He had previously worked for the Department of Finance from 1951-1953, for Amrhein Bakery from 1953-1965 and for the secretary of state from 1965-1972.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and will be remembered for his dedication to attending the Catholic Mass and the value placed upon it. He will also be remembered for having a green thumb and planting and raising dozens of varieties of vegetables, fruit, flowers and trees of every sort.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until time of the funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February, 12, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Church, with Monsignor Thomas Holinga officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.