Gaetano Battaglia, 66

Gaetano “Guy” Battaglia, 66, of Pocahontas died on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Meridith Funeral Home in Pocahontas. Burial will be at a later date.

He was born on Aug. 6, 1948 in Sicily, Italy, to Francesco and Josephine (Terracina) Battaglia. On Aug. 16, 1966, he married Patricia Greer in Gary, Ind. She survives in Pocahontas.

Mr. Battagli’s family was his life. He had many friends and had a way with getting along with everyone. He loved to talk and never met a stranger. He loved to fish and hunt deer, squirrels and pheasants.

He was a truck driver for 40 years, even owning and operating his own truck for about 15 years. For the past nine years, he was co-owner of B-Taggs Tavern in Pocahontas.

Other survivors include his children, Frank Battaglia of McHenry, Ill., and Brian S. (Francine) Battaglia of Pocahontas; grandchildren, Brian J. Battaglia, Lauren Battaglia, Heather Battaglia, Connor Battaglia, and Tyler Battaglia; a great-grandchild, Isaiah; sisters, Marie (Sam) Piraino of Elmwood Park, Ill., and Rose (Jerry) Gaudio of Arlington Heights, Ill.; a brother, Joseph (Linda) Battaglia of Elmwood Park, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made to the family.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Gaetano Battaglia, 66."