Obituaries
Obituary for Samuel A. Koury
PEORIA- Samuel A. Koury, 93, died at 6:00 AM, Monday, November 21, 2011 at his residence. He was born February 4, 1918 in Peoria a son of Anthony and Adel Hitti Koury. He married Najibe Hitti on July 6, 1952 in Lebanon, she survives. Other survivors include a son, Anthony (Salime) Koury of Peoria, two daughters, Theresa Shields Felts of Morton and Marie (Larry) Moreland of Washington; eight grandchildren, Jason Shields, Rachel (Andy) Herbst, Kevin (Emily) Shields, Katie (Jason) Blackwell, Daniel and Timothy Pritchard, Christina and Samuel Koury. Six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Louise Moses; and his son-in-law, Jack Felts. Sam worked for several years for International Paper Company and was an Army veteran serving in WW 2. He was a member of St Sharbel Church in Peoria. Sam’s life was devoted to serving God. He prayed the rosary daily and had a strong devotion to Saint Therese ‘The Little Flower’ which began early in his life. Over the course of his life Sam handmade thousands of rosaries, blessing people throughout the world with these gifts. It is the family’s wish that all of those with one of Sam’s rosaries would say a special rosary for him. As Sam devoted his life to God, he also devoted himself to his family. Sam and his wife of 59 years, Najibe, spent much of their lives together traveling the world visiting family and collecting happy memories. To his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sam’s enduring presence shaped many wonderful memories that will comfort them in years to come. Sam often entertained his family and friends with short amusing stories about his life and had a sense of humor that lasted even into the last moments of life. As an enthusiastic Cardinals fan, Sam watched with great excitement as his favorite team won the World Series this year. Sam could often be found sitting on the patio practicing backgammon or cards and was always up for a game with anyone that visited. Every year Sam tended to his large garden that delivered food for countless family meals, especially weekly Sunday dinners for which all the family gathered. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 26, 2011 at St. Sharbel Church. Visitation will be 5 to 8 PM, Friday at St. Sharbel Church and one hour prior to Mass on Saturday. A Rosary will be recited at 7:45 PM during the visitation. Fr. Bechara Awada will officitate. Entombment will be in the Resurrection Mausoleum. Arrangements are by Wright & Salmon Mortuary. Memorials for Sam may be made to St. Sharbel Church, Society of St. Therese of the Little Flower, St. Sarkis Bakhos Church in Itoo Lebanon. Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com
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