Cover photo for Evelyn Louise Calcaterra's Obituary
Evelyn Louise Calcaterra Profile Photo
1923 Evelyn 2022

Evelyn Louise Calcaterra

November 14, 1923 — February 10, 2022

Evelyn’s Life Memories

 

I was born on November 14, 1923, in Herrin, Illinois at my parent’s home on Eighth Street.  My parents were John and Emma (Picco) Margherio.  My grandparents John and Maria Picco were present to assist with the birth.  My dad was sent to the doctor’s office to bring the doctor back to the house.  The doctor was not in the office and my dad stayed there for quite a while waiting for his return.  Eventually, my father decided to return to his home without the doctor.  When he got there, I had already been delivered by both of my grandparents.  I had been washed and was dressed in my baby clothes.  To tease my dad, my grandfather began running through the house, carrying me in his arms and refusing to let my dad know if I was a boy or a girl.  Eventually, my dad found out he had a daughter and I was named Evelyn Louise Margherio.  So, I guess I can say I have been on the go ever sense.

 

I attended Lincoln School from kindergarten through the eighth grade.  In 1938, I began attending Herrin Township High School.  Upon graduation in 1942, I was hired as a bookkeeper by the Nehi Bottling Company to replace a man leaving to enter the army.  Like other women replacing men leaving for service, I had technically become a “Rosie the Riveter”.

 

While attending high school, I met Joseph Charles “Joe Fat” Calcaterra.  At first, we attended sports together which eventually led to regular dating.  Just before he was inducted into the service in 1943, we became engaged.  When he returned home in 1945, we were married on November 21, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Through the years we became soul mates.  With family and friends present, we re-celebrated our marriage during our 25th, 45th, 50th, 60th, and 65th anniversary parties.

 

In 1947, I became a home maker as Joe and I began planning a family. During that time, I worked at home as a seamstress.  In 1960, I began working for what became Credit Thrift Finance Company.  After 25 years, I retired in 1985.

 

Throughout our marriage Joe and I continued to attend Herrin High School sporting events and traveled many years to the Illinois State basketball tournaments. In 1997, Joe and I were named Herrin High School’s Homecoming Grand Marshalls. Since Joe was a die-hard Cubs fan, I followed them as well and was thrilled when they won the World Series. We began attending John A. Logan College basketball games and in 2009, were given an award for supporting the college’s athletics.  While retired, we had the time to travel extensively to support our granddaughters’ various types of sports. While our granddaughters played softball for SIU, we received an attendance award.  In 2012, Joe passed away but I continued attending the high school and college games.  In 2018, I was inducted into the Herrin High School Hall of Fame for my many years as a loyal fan.  Joe was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 and my granddaughters were inducted as well in 2020.

 

Joe and I traveled throughout the country and into Canada.  We liked to see and experience the country’s beauty and history and share it with our children.  We visited Europe in 1990 and visited family in Italy.  I particularly liked beach vacations.  With my daughter, I went to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the 2002 Tournament of Roses Parade.  I always liked seeing what is on the other side of the hill.  I am happy to say I passed my driver’s test in December of 2021.  I did not have actual hobbies but continually worked with Joe to remodel our home, kept house plants alive, and did continue my sewing to complete special projects for my family and home.

 

At age 98, Evelyn passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022, in her home.  She is survived by daughter Cindy Calcaterra of Forney, TX; son Terry Calcaterra of Herrin, IL; granddaughters Maggie (Shawna) Calcaterra and Marty (Mike) Cameron both of Marion, IL; great-grandsons Cavan and Kale Cameron; great-granddaughters Kayli Jo Cameron and Kamry Calcaterra all of Marion, IL; niece Robbie (Rusty) Wiseman; great-nephews Trent Cannon and Jackson Wiseman; great-grand-nephew Mattox Cannon and great-grand niece Aurora Cannon all of Herrin, IL.   

 

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Rev. Eusebius Mbidoaka, Ph.D. officiating. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. A time of visitation will be held from 5-7:30pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin.

 

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to CASA of Southern Illinois, San Carlo Cemetery Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Evelyn Louise Calcaterra, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

5:00 - 7:30 pm

Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home

201 S 13th St, Herrin, IL 62948

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Funeral Mass

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

10:00 - 11:00 am

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church

316 W Monroe St, Herrin, IL 62948

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Burial

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am

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