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BORN
1925
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Edward Racan Obituary
Born: May 30, 1925
Died: October 12, 2022
Edward Racan, age 97, longtime resident of Brookfield, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. He was born in Chicago on May 30th, 1925. He was married to Helen (Braun) Kitzer in 1969. Edward was preceded in death by his first wife, LaVerne "Pat" (O'Connor), his parents, Phillip and Anna Racan, brothers Rudy and George: and sons, Ed Jr. and Alan Kitzer.
Survived by his wife, Helen Racan (nee Braun); His children, Cynthia (James) Webb, Bradley, Beth (Randall) Wagner, Phillip (Gayla) Kitzer, Diane Gross and Richard (Roselle) Kitzer. He was a loving grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather to many.
Ed was an airplane mechanic in World War II where he served in Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Ed was on the ISS Missouri during the signing of the Japanese Peace treaty. After the war, he worked on buses for a few years, then got a job as a mechanic with the Village of Brookfield, where he worked his way up to Director of Public Works until his retirement in 1980. While working for the Village, he was also a volunteer fireman for Brookfield for 20 years.
He was very proud to be able to go on the Honor Flight Chicago to Washington D.C. with other World War II vets, be honored on the ice with other veterans at a Chicago Blackhawk game, and be the Grand Marshall at the Brookfield 4th of July parade.
Ed's legacy will live on through his family. He will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
9035 Grant Avenue,
Brookfield, IL 60513
Or
Honor Flight Chicago
9701 W. Higgins Road, Suite 310
Rosemont, IL 60018
A visitation for Edward will be held Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL 60130. A funeral service will occur at 1:00 PM. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 7750 W Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL 60130.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnchicago.com for the Racan family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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