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In Loving Memory of
Alfred J. Kula
Alfred J. Kula from Glen Carbon, Illinois, a resident of Madison County, IL for 97 years, was born on August 11, 1923. He peacefully passed on December 5, 2020. He was recently preceded in death by his wife Sally (Wysciskalla) Kula of Dubois, IL, on October 17, 2020 after 74 years of marriage. His son Daryl one year old also preceded him in 1956. His parents also deceased were Joseph Kula and Veronica (nickname Fronie) (Rozycke) Kula of 1620 7th Street in Madison Illinois. He attended school at Madison High School. After high school he worked for Friedman’s Furniture Store in Madison Illinois. He served in the army during World War II which eventually became the Army Air Corps at Bergstrom Field now Bergstrom Civilian Airport in Austin, Texas. He served in the band playing clarinet and saxophone for the men in the service and traveled a great deal to entertain the troops during World War II. He played alongside some of the big bands entertaining the troops like Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Harry James and others such as Stan Getz well known for jazz. Stan Getz and other big band players at times borrowed Alfred’s instruments because of being broke or lost in transit from time to time. He played in the Army that became the Army Air Corps band at Jefferson Barracks for President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. His father Joseph Kula played in a band for Mrs. Roosevelt while belonging to the Works Project Administration (CC Camps) during the World War II in Madison, Illinois
After World War II, he worked at the American Steel Foundry in Granite City, Illinois where he did his machinist apprenticeship and became a machinist. He also worked at the Commonwealth. He also worked at the American Car and Foundry Company for a short time before this in St. Louis. He later went to work for the Dow Chemical Metal Products Company, in Madison Illinois. Dow was bought out by Consolidated Aluminum, then Conalco and eventually became Spectrulite where he worked until he retired. On weekends during his working years he played in his father’s band, the Kula Polka Band. They played many weddings, anniversaries and other engagements in Madison County Illinois and St. Louis Missouri. Alfred played saxophone and clarinet. His father played the bass fiddle and trumpet from the 1950’s to 1960’’s.
Alfred and Sally belonged to the St. Louis Metro Polka Club and they danced many times at Polish Hall in Madison, IL where their wedding reception was held 74 years ago. Alfred and Sally belonged to this club for many years and danced the polka being told they were great dancers even into their nineties. Alfred was a musician and loved polka music dancing. Alfred was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
Alfred is a sustaining member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Glen Carbon, Illinois of where Alfred and Sally celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on September 28, 2016. Surviving family include one sister, Geraldine (Kula) Friend from Madison, IL. He also has a nephew Thomas Friend from Connecticut and a niece Donise (Dwayne) Georgeff and family from Edwardsville, IL. Alfred has three daughters and had one son. Sharon Hawk from Glen Carbon, IL. Saundra David from Springfield IL. Sally Jo Kula (Philip Newell) from St. Peters MO. He has five grandchildren William D. Hawk, from Glen Carbon, IL, Wendy A. Hawk from Glen Carbon, IL. , Andrew David (deceased wife Carrie) (father of great grandchild Piper David), and Gabrielle David, and Matthew David and Laurel Bretz (mother of great grandchild Lilly). He has two great grandchildren Piper David and Lilly Belle David (Matt’s daughter) all from Springfield, IL.
Private family visitation to be held at Saksa Mateer Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 9a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by Catholic services at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecelia Catholic Church of Glen Carbon, IL.
Interment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Glen Carbon, IL.
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Thomas Saksa Funeral Home 2205 Pontoon Rd Granite City IL 62040 618-876-4321
Saksa Mateer Funeral Home 210 N. Kansas Edwardsville IL 62025 618-656-7577
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