Angelo James Zavaglia, 77, of Maryville, IL, formerly of Collinsville, IL, went to be with Jesus on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Born in Collinsville, IL on May 26, 1941, to the late Angelo and Theresa Zavaglia, Angelo began his long career in the grocery business at age 10, working at S&S Market in Collinsville. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1959, attended SIU Carbondale, and went on to work at several grocery stores including Viviano's and National Supermarket. Angelo owned and operated Angelo's Bi-Rite in Caseyville, and in Collinsville, Angelo's IGA and the Beltline Center, a reception hall. He eventually retired from ICS Construction Services in St. Louis, MO.  He worshipped at Christ Church Collinsville-Maryville campus.

Angelo's personality was bigger than life, and he had a heart to match. He would go out of his way to brighten someone's day and make them feel special. With him, friends became family and strangers became friends. People loved his stories and jokes, which were legendary and priceless, and he had a contagious laugh. The eternal optimist, his reply when asked about his day was always, "Everything's lovely." In short, Angelo loved the Lord and loved people, especially his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Angelo and Theresa (nee Zampogna) Zavaglia; a sister, Vincie Erutti; two brothers: Jack Zavaglia and Johnnie Zavaglia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Richard Erutti, Janice Zavaglia, Wayne Bostian, Mildred (Rufus) Woodring, Edwin Sims, Mabel Lee (Rod) Woods, and Richard Engelman; aunt and uncles: Rocco (Frances) Zampogna, Dr. Michael Gregg, and Joseph Locandro; and two nephews: Scott Zavaglia and Rodney Woods.

Surviving are his children: Natalie (Matt) Prsha of Chesterfield, MO, Todd (Dawn) Zavaglia and Mark (Whitney) Zavaglia, both of Maryville, IL; his former wife and lifelong friend, Judy (nee Sims) Zavaglia of Collinsville, IL; five grandchildren: Taylor (Colin) Fuhrmann, Ryan Prsha, Dominic Zavaglia, Chad Prsha, and Scott Prsha; three great-grandchildren: Tyson Fuhrmann, Bennett Fuhrmann, and Daniel Fuhrmann; two brothers: Gregory (Lorelei) Zavaglia of St. Louis, MO and Bob (Cece) Zavaglia of Lone Tree, CO; two sisters: Marie (Jim) Walling of Collinsville, IL and Shirley Bostian of Westfield, IN; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Norma Sims of Macomb, IL, Janet Engelman of Collinsville, IL, and Bob (Kathy) Sims of Bonita Springs, FL; two aunts: Theresa Locandro of Edwardsville, IL and Martha Gregg of Santa Rosa, CA; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and other family and friends too numerous to name.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2019, at Christ Church, 339 Frank Scott Parkway E, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church with Pastor Chris White officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) or the Collinsville Education Scholarship Foundation (CESF) and will be received at the visitation or by mail to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center St., Maryville, IL 62062.