Ed Nuku

Ed Nuku, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on Friday night, January 14, 2022, at Gardenview Manor in Danville, IL. Ed was born January 10, 1942 in Okaiawa, New Zealand, the son of Hapeta and Miriam Nuku. He grew up on his familys dairy farm at the base of Mt. Taranaki. He was a talented singer and musician, especially proficient on flute, guitar, and bass guitar. This talent led him to join two popular bands from New Zealand: The Mori Hi-Quinns and The New Zealand Trading Company. While with The New Zealand Trading Company, he traveled extensively across Australia, Europe, Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York, and other major cities, landing a gig as the house band on the RMS Queen Mary. Ed later lived in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. While there, he was employed as a groundskeeper for the golf course at The Playboy Club. He also performed with The Cold Duck Band. In 1977, he was a founding member of the band Fireworks, which became the house band for Prairielands Night Club in Thomasboro, Illinois. Ed married Mary (Dreher) Nuku on August 24, 1978. He was a devoted father to his children, looking forward to their family camping trip in the Wisconsin Dells each summer. He was a doting Pop-Pop to 13 grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, and he was a longtime member of American Lutheran Church in Rantoul, IL. Ed worked for a time at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL. He was then employed for 21 years at Vesuvius, Fisher before retiring in 2009. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and enjoyed his retirement following their games, playing guitar, gardening, and spending time with his family. Ed was preceded in death by both his mother and father, 13 siblings, and a daughter, Roseanne. He is survived by his brothers, Graham and France Nuku; his sister, Te Owai J Gemmell; his wife, Mary; and his children and their spouses: Holly and Jeff Melby, Al and Lisa Nuku, Oscar (Joey) Nuku, Sarah Nuku and fianc Kevin Dandrea, and Matt Nuku and fianc Kylee Vermillion. He is also survived by his newest granddaughter Thierry Dandrea and her sisters Bella, Anna, Rosie and Leilah Hills; River Ramos; Keira, Caden, and Zoey Melby; Natalie Pirihi Whaiapu; and Bellamy, Manon, Remy Nuku. Private family services were held Saturday, January 22 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Georgetown, Illinois 200 E. West St. Georgetown, Illinois 61846. Memorial contributions may be made to Feed the Children or Alzheimers Foundation of America. Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.