Anthony 'Burr' Brazas

Anthony J. 'Burr' Brazas, 91 of Westville, IL passed on peacefully Saturday, March 23, 2019 at his home. He was born August 31, 1927, in Westville, IL, the son of Joseph and Anna (Tarosas) Brazas. They preceded him in death as well as his two brothers and three sisters. He married Beverly J. Sparks, his high school sweetheart, on May 10, 1947 in Westville, IL, she survives.

He was a gifted multi-sport athlete receiving Allstate selections in both football and basketball. He was pursued by the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, even before graduating high school. Upon graduation from Westville High School in 1945, he accepted a football scholarship to U of I. Burr furloughed this offer enlisting in the Navy for 13 months as WWII ended.

Burr was a business entrepreneur going into partnership with his oldest brother, Joe 'Spider' as co-owner of Brazas Brothers Tavern, until it burned in 1978. He also owned Shields Restaurant/Motel in Hegeler and Brazas Liquors in Hegeler until his retirement in 1997.

Burr was recently selected as the 2019 Westville High School Wall of Fame honoree. He will be inducted posthumously in June at the Westville High School Alumni Banquet.

Burr always said, 'I worked 7 days a week for each of my 7 children.' Marianne (Allen) Russell of Tampa, FL, Carol (Lloyd) Vaninger of Trenton, IL, Tony (Debbie) Brazas of Milton, GA, Joe Brazas of Danville, IL, Nancy (Kenny) Allison of St. John, IN, Teresa (Dan) Jones of Westville, IL, John (Angela) Brazas of Westville, IL. He was blessed to have 10 grandchildren, Chris Russell, Joe Michael (Jana) Brazas, Erin (Billy) Russell, Brandy (Tyler) Goulding, Matt (Lauren) Carrell, Megan (Chris) Russell, Katy (Andrew) Vaninger-Sexton, Jen (Scott) Szymoniak, Johnny (Kirstan) Brazas, Luke (Kenzie) Brazas. Also 10 great grandkids, that loved and called him 'Papa Brazas.'

Burr's greatest love in life was his family followed closely by the St. Louis Cardinals!

Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 231 N State Street, Westville, with Father Saupp officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, March 29, 2019 from 3pm to 7pm at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Westville, located at 414 S. State St. with a Rosary Service to be held at 2:30pm. He will be laid to rest in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Westville. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given in his name to Westville American Legion, Martin F Vutrick, Post 51, Westville. Please join his family in sharing memories, photos, & videos through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Services Recitation of the Rosary Friday March 29, 2019 2:30 PM Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel 414 S. State Street Westville, , IL 61883 Visitation Friday March 29, 2019 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel 414 S. State Street Westville, , IL 61883 Mass of Christian Burial Saturday March 30, 2019 10:00 AM St. Mary's Catholic Church 231 N State St Westville,, Illinois 61883