Edward Leo Illy

Edward Leo Illy, age 67, of Eolia, passed away Friday, January 17, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO surrounded by loved ones. Ed was born January 26, 1957, in St. Charles, MO, the son of Maurice and Anna Weber Illy. He was the firstborn of 9 children. Ed attended elementary school at Assumption Catholic School in O’Fallon, MO, and later, he, his parents, and siblings moved to Elsberry, MO where he attended Clopton High School and graduated with the class of 1975. He went on to attend the University of Missouri -Columbia to pursue agricultural science where he met the love of his life, Karen Glosemeyer. Ed and Karen were united in marriage on August 11, 1979, in Washington, MO and together celebrated 45 years of marriage. They started their life in Union, MO. After some time, moving to Elsberry, MO where Ed farmed for over 20 years. Then they moved to Eolia, MO where Ed was the owner and operator of Ed Illy trucking, providing hauling for local farmers for over 20 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana, where he served as a eucharistic minister and enjoyed taking communion to residents in local nursing homes. Ed was also a member of the St. Joseph Knights of Columbus council. He enjoyed fishing with and being around his grandchildren, teaching them life lessons, and playing board games and cards with them. Ed enjoyed watching sports on television, especially St. Louis Rams, Blues, and Cardinals, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs. He also enjoyed watching John Wayne and other western movies. Ed is survived by his wife Karen, four children Cynthia Marie & James Holcombe, Jacqualine Dawn Summers, Angela Christine & Brad Kline, and Leonard Joseph Illy; seven grandchildren Mason Holcombe, Emily Holcombe, Jacob Holcombe, Isabelle Summers, Alexander Summers, Kalyee Kline, and Holley Kline; his mother Anna Illy; eight siblings Janet & Tom Morris, Kenneth & Cheryl Illy, Judy & Mark Lagemann, James & Jill Illy, Katherine & Eric Ploch, Beth & Chris Patterson, Steven & Lori Ann Illy, Mary Ann & Mike Leake; Also survived by his mother-in-law Mildred Glosemeyer; four brothers and sisters-in-law Beverly Jett, Mark & Laurice Glosemeyer, Ken & Bev Glosemeyer, John & Connie Bailey; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family. Ed loved taking care of his family and his community. He will be sorely missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana with Fr. Henry Ussher officiating. The burial will be held at 1:00 pm at the Eolia Cemetery, in Eolia, MO. Visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 5:00pm on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green. Serving as pallbearers will be: Steven & Derek Illy, Jim Illy, Mark Lagemann, Chris Lageman (Uncle), and Patrick Reuther. In lieu of flowers or food, the family asks that you please donate to the collections for Karen Illy setup up through Bibb-Veach.

Edward Leo Illy

January 26, 1957 - January 17, 2025