Jildo J. DeFelice

WOOSTER, Ohio — Jildo J. DeFelice, 90, of Wooster, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at his home with his family by his side.

Jildo was born Jan. 12, 1923, in Ironwood, Mich., to Paul and Clarice (Montemuri) DeFelice. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and his master’s degree from Northwestern University.

He served in the U.S. Army in the 40th Infantry Division from early 1943 to February 1946. He participated in the Solomon Island Campaign from the late stages of the Guadalcanal Island Campaign, New Britain Island Campaign, and the liberation of Luzon, Negros and Panay Islands of the Philippine Islands Campaign. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in combat during the Luzon Island Philippine Campaign.

Jildo married Rosemarie Longhini on May 17, 1947. She died Feb. 21, 2009.

Jildo was employed by Inland Steel Products Co. of Milwaukee; Pickands Mather & Company of Ironwood; and Rexall Drug Chemical Co. of Los Angeles. His last position before retirement in May 1991 was treasurer for Buehler’s Fresh Foods for 19 years.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Wooster Elks, American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans and the Wooster Lions Club.

Jildo will be deeply missed by his children, Paul DeFelice, of Somonauk, Ill., Jill Marie (David) Harmych, of Amherst, Thomas (Barbara) DeFelice, of Canton, James (Diane) DeFelice, of Wooster, Gregory (Sharon) DeFelice, of Greer, S.C., Brian (Nancy) DeFelice, of Canton, and Charles (Betsy) DeFelice, of Shreve; grandchildren, Kara, Jeffrey, Melissa, Kyle, Julie, Anthony, Jerrod, Jenna, Alison, Candace, Amanda, Alyssa, Brianna, Nicholas and Vincent; great-grandchildren, Corrin, Nathan, Jillian, Caleb and Elias; and a sister, Doris Carlson, of Ironwood.

In addition to his wife, Rosemarie, Jildo was preceded in death by a son, Jeffery; brothers, Rocco and Philip; and sisters, Malfalda, Rose, Emma and Helen.

Friends may call today, Saturday, March 23, from 1-3 p.m. at the Roberts Funeral Home, Wooster.

Private services will be held.

Inurnment will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, where military rites will be held.

Online tributes may be made at RobertsFuneralHome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster OH 44691.