Fred A. Salmo

Herrin – Fred A. Salmo, age 93, of Herrin died at 12:50 AM on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Herrin Hospital. Fred was born in Colp, IL on June 7, 1924, the son of Pete and Tressie (Cerioli) Salmo. He married Eleanor J. Cattaneo on September 8, 1951 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. The couple resided in Herrin together for 59 years. She preceded him in death on February 19, 2011. Mr. Salmo was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and was a member of the Herrin Knights of Columbus – 4th degree. He also served many years as a volunteer pallbearer. He never said no when called upon. In 2005 Fred and Eleanor were honored as the Grand Marshals of Herrin Festa Italiana. At the time the Mayor said, “Fred and Eleanor Salmo are good people. They represent what is best about our community. They worked hard, raised their children here, helped with their church and town and made Herrin a better place”. While in high school, as part of the family business, Fred delivered ice and coal to families in Colp before he was even old enough to drive. He graduated from Herrin High School in 1942 and at age 18 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training he was stationed in Hawaii and then to the World War II battle ground in the Pacific. He spent 33 months on four different islands in the Philippines. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service. He served bravely as a mortar man for McArthur’s Island Hoppers. Once honorably discharged, he attended Rankin School of Trade in St. Louis, MO. Over the years he worked for Bailey Refrigeration, International Staple and Machine Company and in 1962 he joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 551 in West Frankfort where he worked for 25 years until his retirement. During his retirement his hobbies included golf, bee keeping, gardening, watching sports, traveling with his wife, and enjoying his grandchildren/great-grandchildren. He also volunteered as a judge of bocce tournaments at the Herrin Bocce Pavilion. The family would like to especially thank Herrin Hospital and Hospice of Southern Illinois for the wonderful care given to Fred. He is survived by his children, Michael (Pat) of Christopher, IL, Patricia (Bob) Lane of Edwardsville, IL Marc Salmo (Tricia) of Herin IL Six Grandchildren, Leah (Dave) Becker of Wentzville, MO, Andrew (Jessica) Salmo of Herrin, IL, Kristen (Brett) Valley of Boise, ID, Ryan Lane and fiancé Sydney Race of Louisville, KY Cory Salmo of West Frankfort, IL, Adam Salmo of Herrin, IL Four Great-grandchildren, Mary, Janie, and Trent Becker of Wentzville, MO, and Elizabeth Salmo of Herrin, IL Sister-In-Law Mickey Cattaneo of OFallon, IL, Brother-In-Law Anthony (Marlene) Cattaneo of Herrin, IL Three Nephews, Franco Salmoiraghi of Hawaii, Steven Cattaneo of Texas, Todd (Karen) Cattaneo and family of South Carolina. Two Nieces Virginia Salmo-Hecker (John) of Massachusetts, Mary Kay Cattaneo of Florida And all of his remaining family members and longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor Salmo, parents, Pete and Tressie Salmo. Family members – Katie and Lester Samuel, Jennie and Pete Marando, Angelo and Anne Salmo, Joe Salmo, brother in law Frank Cattaneo. A funeral mass will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, February 23, 2018 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating. Burial with military rites performed by the Herrin and Carterville American Legion and VFW with assistance from the Illinois National Guard will follow at San Carlo Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin and from 9:30 AM until 10:50 AM on Friday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. A Prayer Service will be held at 5:00 PM and a Knight’s of Columbus service will begin at 6:00 PM on Thursday evening at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel New School Fund, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) or San Carlo Cemetery and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home/ 201 S. 13th St/ Herrin, IL 62948. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.