Vincent L. Villanova

VILLANOVA, Vincent L., 87, of Wheeling, W.Va. died Friday, August 2, 2013 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 7, 1926, in Wheeling, a son to the late Vincent R. and Rose Grossi Villanova.

He was a graduate of Wheeling High School class of 1943 and received his teacher certification from Fairmont State College. He was the automotive teacher at Wheeling Park High School until retiring from the Ohio County Board of Education in 1991.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elm Grove. He was a veteran of World War II, U.S. Marines, 2nd Division, Pacific Operation. He was a third and fourth degree Knight of Columbus, Caroll Council # 504. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Golf Club of Wheeling, and the Chambers YMCA.

He was a well known musician who spent much of his adult life with the Vince Villanova Band. He was a life member of the American Federation of Musicians Local # 142, and a member of the Short Circuit Club of Wheeling.

He loved spending time with his children and their families and also those special “family dinners”. He loved meeting his friends at McDonald’s in the morning. He also enjoyed music, woodworking, crafts, and sitting on the deck doing word search puzzles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Villanova, two brothers-in-law, Albert Bucon, and Paul J. Otte, and one sister-in-law, Helen Ann Wilhelm Kirksey.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosemary Wilhelm Villanova; three sons, William V. Villanova and his wife Betty of Homosassa, Fla., Thomas E. Villanova and Debbie of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Donald G. and his wife Becky of Wheeling; one daughter, Luann and her husband Art Danehart of Wheeling; one sister, Bridget and her husband Don Maloney of Wheeling; one brother, Eugene Villanova and his wife Ruth of Wheeling; two sisters-in-law, Betty Bucon of Wheeling, and Lucille Otte of Wheeling; three brothers-in-law, Don Maloiney of Wheeling, Bill Wilhelm of Wheeling, and Don Kirksey of St. Clairsville, Ohio; five grandchildren, Vicki of Homosassa, Fla., Donnie Amanda of Tampa, Fla., KatieTroy of Tampa, Fla., Donald Jessy of Wheeling, and Hilary of Wheeling; three great grandchildren, Leila and Lillie of Tampa, Fla., and Alana of Wheeling; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Friends will be received on Monday, August 5, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove Chapel, 154 Kruger Street, Elm Grove. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 10 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Rev. Gary Naegele as celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Parish School, 127 Key Ave, Wheeling, W.Va. 26003.

Online condolences can be expressed to the family at altmeyer.com