Nilan "Bud" Endris Obituary (1919 - 2014)

Nilan "Bud" Endris, 95, of Pana passed away peacefully in his home Wednesday, November 12, 2014. He was born February 4, 1919 in Pana, the son of Philip Leo Lela Mamie Cloe Endris. He grew up during the Great Depression. Nilan "Bud" Endris entered the service on March 26, 1942. He was with the 82nd Airborne, 326 Gliders Infantry. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Invasion of Germany and received many decorations: Victory Medal, European African Mid-Eastern Theater Ribbon, 2 Bronze Battle Stars, Overseas Service Bar, Service Stripe, and Meritorious Unit Award. His name was inscribed on a Meritorious Service plaque for exceptional performance under battle conditions of war with the 371st Engineer Construction Battalion who reconstructed a bridge over the Rhine River in the record time of ten days. Bud was honorably discharged on January 30, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant. Bud Endris and Norma Arlene Huttes were married on June 1, 1944 in Pana; they were married 57 years. Bud and Norma resided in Winnie, Texas for many years with their children. He was active in the community as a baseball coach for Little League and enjoyed spending time with his family. He worked for Sun Oil Company 37 years, retiring in 1982 in Houston, Texas as Prorations Manager. In 1994, he and Norma moved back to their hometown of Pana to live out their remaining years. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana; PTO in Winnie, TX where he was instrumental in children receiving the polio vaccine; and St. Louis Catholic Church, Winnie, TX. He is survived by his two children: Kelle Price Endris-Smith husband Robert W., Pana, IL and Philip "Kip" Endris wife Diana, Conroe, TX; 3 granddaughters: Katlin Endris Davis husband Brad, Pana, IL; Meredith Lee Payne husband Lee, Corpus Christi, TX, Madeline Dee Stewart husband David, Conroe, TX; 3 great grandsons: Kylan Davis, Coleman Stewart and Jackson Payne; his niece: Dee Ann Rosko husband Ronald, Witt, IL and a lot of caring relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife on July 30, 2001 and by his sister Susan Endris Senovick. The family of Bud Endris wishes to thank his personal caregivers and Quad County Hospice for their support. Funeral Information Funeral mass will be Monday, November 17, 2014 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Rodney A. Schwartz officiating. Burial will be in Price Cemetery, Oconee with graveside military rites by Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Monday from 9:00 a.m. until time of mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with rosary recited prior to visitation at 8:30 a.m.