Retired Judge John W. Day, 94, went to his eternal reward at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, at his family home. He was assisted by the Last Rites of the Catholic Church.

He was born in Hamburg, Ill., Calhoun County, on Jan. 6, 1919, the son of former Calhoun Judge, John Day and Addie (Fowler) Day.

On May 8, 1942, he married Wannie L. Bell who survives. They were engaged and married while he was stationed at the USMC Base at Nilan, Calif., for artillery school.  He graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in Illinois, Culver Stockton College in Missouri, and after World War II, received his Doctor of Juris Prudence from Washington University in St. Louis, with the help of the GI Bill.  He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Jacksonville, Ill. and before the start of World War II joined the United States Marine Corps. He participated in action against the enemy during the Battle of Midway, and was involved in the occupation and defense of Tinian and the Marianas Island Group.  He always stated that the best time of his life was when he was in the Corps.  Had he not been married, he maintained that he would have made a career of it.  He received his Honorable Discharge on Sept. 17, 1945, as a Sergeant and by the Grace of God returned home safely to Hardin, Ill., two days later on the 19th.

After completing his graduate degree in Law at Washington U., he worked for a number of major insurance companies in the mid-west, had a private practice and was involved with a local Law Firm. The summit of his career was when he was appointed an Associate Judge for Madison CO, Ill., a challenge that he always said was a great privilege of service and a real honor. He felt his life was fulfilled by following in the footsteps of his own Father, a judge for many years. He took great pleasure in being in Greene County, Carrolton, Ill., for the swearing in of his relative, Judge Jim Day, the 3rd judge in as many generations.

He is survived by three sons and one daughter, Fr. John Patrick Day, C.P. of Holy Martyrs of Japan Parish of Sullivan, Mo., W. Larry and (Marcie) Day of Moro, Linda Lea and (Michael) Barrett of Godfrey, James Fowler and (Sally) Day of Edwardsville; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and seven nieces.  He was preceded in death by two daughters, Linda Jane Day (infant) and Patricia Day Leady; his sisters, Loretta Day Ritter, Mary Day Roth, and Catherine Day Hagen; and his cousins Joe Day and Helen Day.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, and from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. before the Mass of Resurrection, which will be celebrated at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Wood River at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. The funeral will be celebrated by his son, Fr. John Patrick Day, C.P., Fr. James Flach (Pastor), and several Passionists as well as other diocesan priest friends. The burial will be at Woodland Hill Cemetery with full Military Honors by Alton American Legion Post 1308. A meal will immediately follow at Holy Angels Parish Hall.

Rather than flowers, Mass intentions would be appreciated.  Memorials may be made for Holy Angels Parish or for the Blinded Veterans Association. Marks Mortuary of Wood River is caring for arrangements.