Anthony Somora

Anthony J. "Tony" Somora, 69, of Independence, Kan., died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at Via Christi-St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.

He was born Aug. 3, 1937, in Chicago, son of Anton and Pauline Krsak Somora. He and Angela "Dee" Scilingo were married Sept. 12, 1959, in North Riverside, Ill.

Somora was a graduate of St. Rita High School and a 1960 graduate of Loyola University.

He formerly lived in Cape Girardeau and worked in quality control at Marquette Cement from 1966 to 1970. He retired from River Cement in 2001, and continued consulting for Heartland Cement in Independence. He had also been a substitute teacher for Unified School District 446. He was a member of Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Tony Jr. and Steven Somora of Chicago, Andrew Somora of Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Susan Washburn of Wichita; his mother, Pauline Mesich of Rock Island, Ill.; a brother, William Somora of Jacksonville, Fla.; two half brothers, James and Robert Mesich of Rock Island; and five grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Friends may call at Potts Chapel in Independence from 1 to 7 p.m. today. The rosary will be recited at 7.

Burial will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill., at a later date.

Announcement courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.