Ret. Colonel Salvatore J. Garbo

Retired Colonel Salvatore Joseph Garbo, 92, of Ocala, FL, died Saturday evening, May 13, 2023 at E.W. & Lucille Cates Hospice House in Ocala, FL.

Salvatore (Paul) was born on April 28, 1931 in Chicago, IL, the son of Rosario and Angela (Toteno) Garbo. He met Vlasta (Vicki) M. Kohut in 1954 on a blind date, and as soon as he laid eyes on her, he turned to his friend and proclaimed, “That’s the girl I am going to marry!”. The two were married June 28, 1958. 

Always wanting to live in the country, Paul moved his young family from the Chicago suburbs to Newark, IL in 1968 and purchased a 200+ acre farm. Many lifelong friendships were formed during the years in Newark. Paul served in the U.S. Army and then the National Guard and Army Reserve, serving for 43 years and retiring as Colonel in April of 1991. He also retired from his career with the state of Illinois Department of Corrections. Upon retirement, Paul and Vicki moved to Florida. Paul was both a Shriner and Mason and enjoyed both organizations before and during his retirement.

Paul is survived by his wife Vicki, and his children; Paula (Gregg) Gunning of Neponset, IL, Michael Garbo of Fountain Inn, SC and Maria (Chris) Mulvoy of Sherman Oaks, CA. He is also survived by his granddaughters; Dr. Melissa Garbo, and Elizabeth and Kathryn Gunning, and his step-grandson, Eric Freise. 

Graveside services and burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 22 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kewanee with Deacon Martin VanMeltebeck officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be directed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.lovetotherescue.org) or Boys Town (www.boystown.org). 

Rux Funeral Home, 507 S. Chestnut St., Kewanee, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.

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