Marion J. Castellano , 88 years old died August 24th, 2018. He passed peacefully under the tender care of Integrity Health Care and Hospice in Marion, Illinois.
Marion was born August 28, 1929 to Joseph and Josephine (Devardo) Castellano. He was preceded by his parents and brothers, Philip and Gene Castellano.
He married Roberta (Odum) September 2, 1950. Roberta resides in Carbondale. They had four children; Joseph D. Castellano wife Debra (West) of Marion, IL; Julianne (Castellano) Felts and husband Jerry of Marion, IL; Laura Lyn (Castellano) Calvert and husband Joe of Springfield, MO; and Jeffrey M. Castellano of Marion, IL. Grandchildren: Monte J. Castellano and wife Jen of Florida, Monica (Felts) Zukas and husband Troy of Marion, Felicia (Felts) Anvick and husband David of Bloomington, IL, Nicholaus J. Calvert of Springfield, MO, Brian J. Castellano and wife Darcie of Evansville, Indiana, Marionna (Felts)Ping and husband Jason of Carterville and Danielle (Castellano) Bullington and husband Mike of Los Angeles, CA. Great Grandchildren: Nicolas, Jax, Lena, Emma, Chloe, Nash, Jack, Onna, Seve and Several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Marion was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for many years and attended local public schools. His career and passion was Land Development in which many of his projects still serve and benefit the Marion community today.
Among some of his achievements are:
1954: Constructed the infrastructure (concrete streets, gutters, water and sewer) to facilitate a 70 lot subdivision making available to the community homes valued from $8,000 to $25,000.
1956: Owned and operated the areas 1st fabricated house package manufacturing facility, producing in excess of 1,000 fabricated homes.
1958: Participated in the development of a 172 lot subdivision in Herrin, Illinois.
1960: Broke ground on the first modern multi-story hotel on DeYoung St. This development was among the city’s 1st commercial development on the newly constructed Illinois Hwy Route 13.1962, his commercial development included the opening of a Travelodge motel, along with the City’s 1st Chinese Restaurant, a small lounge and the City 1st banquet room seating 500 people. The banquet room also brought national entertainers and personalities to Marion, some of which were Louis Armstrong, Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller Band, and hosted political rally for Ronald Regan.
1962 he consulted with Dr. William W. Richey for the donation of 32 acres of land to the Marion Unit School District #2 for the building a new High School. The donation of 32 acres, leading to the construction of the new high school, enabled the development of 100+ residual houses surrounding that area.
1964: Constructed 4 new apartment buildings in Murphysboro, Illinois.
1965: Completed development of the 1st strip shopping center, located on new HWY. Rt. 13 in Marion. Westmore Plaza consisted of 41,000 square feet with A&P Grocery Store as the anchor tenant along with other local tenants.
1969: Marion’s ingenuity was called upon to design and construct a laundry facility to service all of the Holiday Inns located in the Dallas, Texas area.
1972: Participated in the development of Illinois’ 1st Auger mining operation. As a result, the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals wrote the first auger mining regulations.
1974: Participated with the construction of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Stores in Morton, Illinois, as well as Kelly Springfield Tire building in Nashville, Illinois.
1978: Participated in attracting Wal-Mart to locate its 1st store in the state of Illinois to Marion, Illinois.
1982: he Designed and began construction of Marion’s 1st mini mall connecting to Wal Mart.
In 1982 he participated in attracting Aldi Foods, to locate in Marion, Illinois
1983: Opened a fabricated housing facility in the Ordil area of Southern Illinois with the purchase of equipment from Concord Homes.
1984: Participated in attracting Big Lots to locate in Marion, Illinois.
1985: Participated in the design and construction of a medical radiologist facility in Carbondale which was followed by another facility in Greenville, Mississippi.
1999: Participated in attracting Rural King to locate in Marion, Illinois.
May our dad be resting in peace with Jesus. Although we no longer see him here, we find comfort knowing we can look around and see his accomplishments throughout the Marion community.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, September 6 at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Brian Barker officiating. Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Egyptian Memorial Gardens. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, Marion has requested that donations be made in support of the building trade classes at the Marion Senior High School, Hospice of Southern Illinois or Integrity Health Care. Envelopes will be available the day of the service at the church or by mail to Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.