Cecil F. Surdey, age 88, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet. Survived by his loving children Lynda (Roger) Bradley, Kathy (Lynn) Wehrmann and John (Sheree) Surdey; his grandchildren Carrie (Paul) Chellios, Daniel Delaney, Heather Palmer, Chuck (Matt) Surdey, Tommy Gilmore, Joshua (Megan) Paul, Joe Wehrmann, Vanessa Johnson, and Andy Chamberlin, his great grandchildren Brandton, Rebecca, Aydan, Griffin, Kaleb, Serena, Calista, Nathan, Kody, Spencer, Brody, Mia, Ava, and Anna Marie, his sister-in-law Charlene Surdey, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by his parents John and Pauline (nee Schneider) Surdey, his beloved wife Phyllis (2017), three brothers John, Robert, and Leonard, and three sisters Dolores, Elizabeth and Midge. Cecil grew up in Joliet and attended Joliet Township High School. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War as Staff Sergeant. Cecil worked at Caterpillar in Joliet retiring after 32 years. He was an avid reader and enjoyed taking road trips with his wife and family, he made every state with the exception of Alaska. Visitation for Cecil will be Sunday, March 3, 2019 from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. Funeral service will take place on the same day at 5:00 P.M. Private interment with full military honors will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 4, 2019 at Manhattan Center Cemetery, Manhattan. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cecil's name to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 or to Manhattan American Legion Post #935, P.O. Box 171, Manhattan, IL 60442 would be most appreciated. Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com