Michael Charles Vaia, Sr. Obituary (1942 - 2014)

Michael Charles Vaia, Sr. 72, of Bloomington, died at 8:25 a.m. Friday, May 09, 2014 at his home.His memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014 at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington, with Rev. Luke Spannagel officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2014 at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.He was born March 26, 1942 in Chicago, the son of Domonick Charlesand Vivian Burns Vaia. He married Joyce Painter on January 20, 1990 in Pontiac and she survives in Bloomington.Also surviving are five children, Michael (Julie) Vaia, Jr. of Hannibal, MO, Melinda (Dave) Clark of Provo, UT, Clarence Randall (Ana) Morris of Hutto, TX, Julie (Louis) Gary of Collinsville and Susan (Mark) Lesiak of Frankfort; fifteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Michael Horejs of Plover, WI.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Patricia Beckman and Domenica Horejs; and a brother, John Vaia.Mike was the grandson of immigrants who made their way to the United States through Ellis Island. He was educated in Chicago and graduated from Austin High School, where he played football. He continued playing football at Northeast Missouri State University, where he earned his undergraduate, Masters and Specialist degrees. Mike was involved in public education for the entirety of his career in Chicago, Hannibal, Missouri and Streator, from where he retired. He loved children and found great joy in providing guidance to help them discover their individual passions.