John Vernon Gedris, age 73, of O'Fallon, Ill., born September 21, 1945 in Pittsburgh, Penn., died November 14, 2018 at Memorial East Hospital, Shiloh, Ill., following a brief illness.

John grew up in Pittsburgh, served four years as a medical technician in the Army, and earned his business degree through Penn State University and Hiram Scott College. He worked in Las Vegas briefly before returning to work in the family business of John Gedris & Sons Casket Manufacturing, building and creating custom caskets until 1992, at which time he relocated to O'Fallon, Ill. to assist with the opening and operations of the Casino Queen. He loved working and supervising the table games and playing poker until he retired in 2013 as the Director of Table Games - a job he truly enjoyed. In his hometown, John was the Membership Director of the Corvette Club of West Pennsylvania, member of Lodge 46 of the Greek Catholic Union, charter member of the Lithuanian Country Club, and served on the parish council at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Pittsburgh. As a classic car enthusiast and collector, locally, he was a member of the Dandy Inn Alumni Classic Cars, meeting every Wednesday at Syberg's in O'Fallon. John enjoyed golfing, Corvette racing, and NASCAR, and was recently able to restore his '63 Catalina - the ride which will lead him to the cemetery.

Although John had many involvements and a successful career, his motto was "I'M THIRD," indicating God was foremost, all others were second, and he came last. A strong work ethic, honesty and integrity were traits he taught his children by living the example.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Victor Gedris and Genevieve, nee Riskus, Gedris.

Surviving are his wife Paula Marie, nee Jacobs, Gedris of O'Fallon, Ill.; his seven children John E. (Tracy) Gedris of Waterloo, Ill., William J. Gedris of Fairfax, Va., Nicholas G. (Erica) Gedris of Troy, Ill., Zachary P. (Crystal) Gedris of O'Fallon, Ill., Veronica C. (Michael) Reiff of Trenton, Ill., Samuel J. Gedris of O'Fallon, Ill., and Bentley M. Gedris of Town & Country, Mo., his grandchildren Jack, Oscar, Sophia, Anna, Nicholas, Zachary "Zeke," Gabrielle, and Francesca; and his sisters Judith (Jack) Day, and Joan (John) Finegan, both of Pittsburgh, Penn.

Memorial donations are suggested to Heartland Hospice or the St. Nicholas Catholic Church Building Fund.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00-8:00 pm, Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon. Visitation will resume at 10:00 am, Monday, November 26, 2018 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon.

Funeral: Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 am, Monday, November 26, 2018, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.