Omer J. Rivard Jr.

Visitation for Omer J. "Bud" Rivard Jr., 85, of Kankakee, will be from 9 a.m. Monday at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Kankakee, until the 11 a.m. celebration of the funeral Mass. The Rev. Charles Wheeler will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. He died Wednesday (March 9, 2011) at ManorCare Health Services. Arrangements are by the Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, west Kankakee. Mr. Rivard worked at Gould National Battery, Mortell's and for the state of Illinois. After retiring, he worked at Tiny Tap part time and at County West Nursery. He was born Oct. 13, 1925, in Bradley, the son of Omer Sr. and Frances Milakovich Rivard. His wife, the former Marjorie White, whom he married June 20, 1946, in Kankakee, died Dec. 8, 2009. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, doing basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base and going to flight school in San Diego, Calif. He was assigned to the USS Tamalpa. His ship had the honor of being in the Bay of Japan when the peace treaty was signed. He was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic Campaign Medal. He coached girls' softball at St. Martin of Tours School. He loved his grandchildren and loved attending all of their sporting events. He enjoyed playing baseball. Surviving are two sons and one daughter-in-law, Robert and Debbie Rivard, of Rio Rancho, N.M., and William Rivard, of Aroma Park; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Jo Ann and John Glenzinski, of Santa Fe, N.M., Suzan and Carl Wilkens, of Kankakee, Chelle and John Griffiths, of Hendersonville, N.C., Patty Glenzinski, of Kankakee, and Cathy and Barry Messer, of Bourbonnais; 10 grandchildren, Quinn Glenzinski, Erin and Rebecca Rivard, Katie Marchetti, Laura Janczak, Steve Wilkins, Sarah Hartman, and Mary, Tim and Adam Messer; seven great-grandchildren, Norah Glenzinski-Bufford, Rylie and Reese Hartman, Livvie and Adalynn Wilkens, Lambeau Janczak and Mia Marchetti; three sisters, Anne Azzarelli, of Georgia, Rose Rivard, of Bourbonnais, and Frances "Itsy" Matthews, of Martinton; and one brother and sister-in-law, William and Audie Rivard, of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, James Rivard; one son-in-law, Leonard Glenzinski; and one sister, Pauline Andrews.

Omer J. Rivard Jr.

October 13, 1925 - March 9, 2011