Edward P. Kuzia, 93, passed away in Wheaton Franciscan Hospital-All Saints on Thursday, June 18, 2009. He was born in Racine on May 6, 1916 the son of the late Paul and Eleanora (nee: Ombreska) Kuzia. Mr. Kuzia proudly served his country with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and was stationed in New Guinea. On October 28, 1950, in Holy Name Church he was united in marriage to the former Dorothy Kothe. Mr. Kuzia had been employed by Dumore Corp. for over 42 years, retiring in 1985. Mr. Kuzia graduated from Marquette University. He was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #697 and a former member of St. Stanislaus Church. Mr. Kuzia enjoyed fishing, gardening, mushroom hunting, and was known to family and neighbors as the "Candy Grandpa". His greatest love was the time spent with his family especially his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, of nearly 59 years, Dorothy; their children, Susan (John) Schliesmann, Barb (Mark) Lacke, Patricia (Gary) Meier, Kathy Kuzia, Mary (Jim) McDowell, Margie Kuzia, Randal Kuzia (Sandy Carreno), and Bill (Barrie) Kuzia; 22 grandchildren, Greg, Mike and Brad Schliesmann, Kara (Jeff) Batchelor, Heather (Steve) Weyda, Jamie (Josh) Hewitt, Christopher (Karin), Eric, Billy, Shannon, and Kaitlin Meier, Adrianne (Andy) Marinkovich, Jason (Merissa) Wemmert, David, Laura, and Christy Kuzia, Tricia (Juston) Love, Jake McDowell, Jay, Danny and Brady Kuzia; 7 great grandchildren, Madelyn, Grace and Sam Weyda, Athena, Alina and Jason Wemmert, and Jackson Meier. His nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends further survive him. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers Paul and Stanley Kuzia, sister, Sophie Hilicki and cherished grandson, Matthew Lacke. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23rd, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday, June 22, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and in the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial, with full military honors, will be in Holy Cross Cemetery Hwy 32. A special thanks to the 3rd Floor Staff of Wheaton Franciscan Hospital and to family friend, Julie Maher, for the loving and compassionate care given to Edward in his time of need.