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Wilbur 'Wib' Marlow Saak of Chester

Wilbur "Wib" Marlow Saak, 99, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 1:42 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home in Chester.

Wib was a loving husband, father, grandfather, but most importantly he was a Christian.

He was born to the late William and Jennie (nee Marlow) Saak on Sept. 23, 1919 in Du Quoin.

Wib married Edna Geraldine Baughman on Nov. 21, 1941; she preceded him in death on July 30, 1959. He then married Julia Ann Childers on June 17, 1961 in Chester, and she survives.

He was a city and rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Chester for 37 years.

Wib was the oldest life member of First Presbyterian Church in Chester, where he was a faithful member his whole life. On many occasions he served as a Deacon and Elder of the church.

Wib was a World War II Army veteran. He received four Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his service during combat in Europe.

He was a member of the VFW Post #3553 in Chester, the American Legion Post #487 in Chester, the Masonic Lodge #72 A. F. & A. M. in Chester, and the Order of the Eastern Star in Steeleville.

Wib and his wife, Julia, were named Citizens of the Year in Chester in 1994.

Wib is survived by his wife, Julia Saak of Chester; three children, Charles William (Judith) Saak of The Villages, Florida, Robert Wayne (Cheryl) Saak of Diamondhead, Mississippi and Aaron Wilbur (Jennifer) Saak of Carlisle, Massachusetts; two sisters, Colene Lickiss of Marquette Heights, Illinois and Mary Rose McBride of St. Louis County, Missouri; six grandchildren, Kevin Saak, Michael Saak, Robert Saak II, Gemelle Saak, Samantha Saak and Natalie Saak; one step-grandchild, Sandra Garcia; six great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild and one great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Edna Geraldine Baughman; two sisters, Virginia Frazier and Gloria Wolff Sprague; four brothers-in-law, Harold Frazier, Robert Lickiss, Robert McBride and Donald Sprague.

The funeral service for Wilbur "Wib" Marlow Saak will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church of Chester, Illinois. The Rev. Edwin Reuter will officiate. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester.

Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. prior to the funeral, also at First Presbyterian Church in Chester.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Chester or the Chester Public Library.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.wpfh.net.