Vasil Eftimoff, retired Granite City Community Unit 9 School Administrator, died Saturday, July 5, 2003, at the Gateway Regional Medical Center.
Born and raised in Granite City, Ill., Vasil attended local schools and graduated from high school in 1942. He served in Europe during World War II in the 13th Armored Division and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for meritorious service.
In 1948, Vasil earned his Liberal Arts Bachelors Degree at Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill., where he was a member of Gamma Nu Fraternity. He then began his teaching career in Brighton and Bunker Hill, Ill., where he was a basketball, track and baseball coach.
Vasil received a Master's Degree in School Administration from St. Louis University and started a long career with the Granite City schools. He was a history teacher, counselor, principle and central administration employee before retiring in 1983.
Active in county and state Democratic politics, Vasil served as precinct committeeman, a Granite City School Board member and a Madison County Board Member. For the past six years he has been a member of the Illinois Council on Aging, serving by the appointment of two governors.
With Bud MacMillan, he co-founded the Coordinated Youth Alternative School and has been a board member there for thirty years. Helping our youth has been his life's work.
The American Legion, DAV, VFW, Eagles, Rotary, Masonic Lodge 835, Ainad Shrine are among the organizations with which Vasil volunteered.
In 1976, Vasil began a long lasting hobby of providing limousine service to brides and grooms on their wedding day. In his white stretch limo, nearly 800 wedding parties have been chauffeured to their church services and receptions.
Vasil was a proud member of the Missouri Athletic Club since 1982. His work in St. Louis was highlighted by his activity in the St. Louis Ad Club-Haymakers, service with the St. Louis Ambassadors Organization and the many years of work with the Variety Club Telethon. His dedication to serving the St. Louis community extended from the late 1940s till current.
Vasil was preceded in death by his parents, Andronika and Demitri Eftimoff.
He is survived by his wife, Anita Kendall Eftimoff; a son, James; a daughter-in-law, Lou; two grandchildren, JT and Amy; two sisters, Helen Christich of Granite City, Ill., and Dorothy Beck of Chesterfield, Mo; a brother-in-law, Glen Beck; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Vasil enjoyed life with his family and friends and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Coordinated Youth Services, 2016 Madison Ave. or to the Vasil Eftimoff Scholarship, Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill., 62650.
