CANTON - Wanda Marie Vacca, 85, of Canton died at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at her residence. Her husband, B.J. "Babe" Vacca, 91, died at 4:55 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2011, at Graham Hospital.

Wanda was born on Dec. 18, 1925, in Canton to James W. and Myrtle (Barkley) Sandberg. B.J. was born on April 21, 1920, in St. David to John and Maggie (DelMastro) Vacca. They were married in Jacksonville, Ill., on Nov. 6, 1948.

Survivors include their son, Larry Joe (the late Carolyn) Perardi of Indianapolis, Ind.; two grandchildren, Terry J. (Kelli) Perardi of Highland Ranch, Colo., and Angela S. (Michael) Petre of Brownsburg, Ind.; and five great-grandchildren, Kyle Petre, Jacob Petre, Tony Perardi, Lexi Perardi and Alli Perardi.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Helen Cronk Sandberg, who raised her from age 5; and sister, Vivian Silotto.

She worked and retired from Canton Super Drugs.

She was of the Lutheran faith.

B.J. was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving for four years during World War II.

He retired from International Harvester on Oct. 1, 1974, with 34 years of service.

He served 18 years on the Board of Directors of the Canton Works Credit Union and also held several offices for 20 years with UAW Local 1357.

He was a member of UAW Local 1357 Retirees Club and a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion of Canton.

He was of the Catholic faith.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial of ashes will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Canton at a later date. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.

Published in Peoria Journal Star on July 16, 2011

Babe Joe Vacca