Edward "Eddie" F. Padilla

Edward “Eddie” F. Padilla was taken from us on January 16,2007 at 11:35 a.m. Eddie was born on March 28, 1941 to Isabel and Joseph Padilla in Galesburg, Illinois. He is survived by two daughters, Shelley Kaye and (Charles) Purifoy, and Deborah Lynn Padilla both of Galesburg. Six grandchildren, Brooke Adair Heiser, Shauna Denise Massangale, Desiree Lynn Purifoy, Nila Marie Purifoy, Charles Edward Purifoy, and Noah Paris Martin all Galesburg. Two great grandchildren, Jalyn Breon Stanley and Justyce Isaac Stanley of Galesburg. Four brothers, Manual Padilla, Anthony (Hope) Padilla, Richard (Rose) Padilla, and Joseph (Pam) Padilla all of Galesburg. Six sisters, Helen Guerrero, Sally Ponce, Jeanie(Lupe) Vasquez, Francis Cervantez, Mary Jo Schaefer, and Elizabeth (David) Ewing, all of Galesburg. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Eddie went to Mary Allen West Grade School, Churchill Junior High School, and graduated from Galesubrg High School in 1959. Eddie had a life that was full of music and family. He took clarinet classes in high school, but played many musical instruments which were self taught. He played the piano, saxophone, and bongos. Eddie played in bands most of his life. The first band was called The Crystals. The members were Ted Ramariz and his brother Jesse “Pado” both playing guitar. Eddie playing sax and bongos, his nephew James Ponce on bass, Danny Higareda on drums and his cousin Valentino was the singer. They played at many teen dances as well as for the adult crowd. The Crystals went to Chicago Illinois in 1961 to make a record, which was called Return to Me and Crystal Rock. The record was played on radio stations. In 1961 when his brother Pado went into the Air Force his brother Joe Padilla joined the band. Over the next few years the band members came and went such as, Ron Wright on drums, Jim Swartz on drums, and Frank Hillagoss as the singer. In 1967 Ted Ramariz retired from the band and the band became Joe Padilla & Company. The band through the 70's played every New Years eve at the Labor Temple, at John's Taco Hideout and at Knox College functions. Joe Padilla & Company had quite a following. People from all walks of life and from neighboring towns would come to the different establishments to hear there music, which mostly consisted of the good rock and roll that people loved to hear. They also played at benefits for the ones in need and birthday parties for friends and family. Joe Padilla & Company played at Mexican dances not only in Galesburg, but in the Tri-Cities and as far away as Fort Madison. His brother-in-law Dave Schaefer joined in the band when he could play the bongos and the congo drums. Eddie played with another band, which was called the Impacks. The band members were Sonny Fiacco, Rodney Moore, Dick Hendrickson, and Mike Hensley. This band went to Davenport Iowa and cut a record called, Skin Tight. The Impacks played a lot at Joe's Place now known as Mac's. Eddie also played in a band that was led by Gay Perez. Eddie was also a fan of Jazz Music. Some of favorites were Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Miles Davis. Eddie was also a fan of Simon & Garfunkel.   Eddie worked at Maytag Corp. for 38 years before retiring in the year 2002. He was a loyal employee of the company and hardly ever missed a day’s work in all the years he worked there. There wasn’t hardly anyone at Maytag that didn’t know him. Eddie loved people. He was always willing to help family and friends when they were in need. He always cared for people no matter whether they were rich or poor, no matter what race or origin of the person, everyone was treated equally. He had a loving and caring heart. Eddie loved having his children and grandchildren over to cook steaks on the grill and eating with all of them. He enjoyed having his family come over on the weekends and cooking and eating breakfast together. All the years that his family lived in their home, everyone was always welcome in it, and  were always asked to come in and sit down and eat with them. Eddie liked teasing and wrestling with all the grandchildren, although the kids got a little carried away at times. The children loved it when he would sit at the piano and play and sing for them. Many times he would act silly, just to make them laugh. Yes, Eddie had a wonderful sense of humor. When he was on a roll he could be a good comedian. He could tell some good jokes and really make you laugh with some his stories, and he had some good ones. He could make you laugh till you cried. Eddie suffered a spinal cord injury on May 15, 2003. In all that time he never complained to anyone, even though he went through some very rough times. Yes, Eddie is going to be sadly missed by all his family and friends. We will all miss his caring heart, his jokes, his music, but most of all, just for being himself. But we know the Lord is going to take good care of him, till we can see him again someday. He probably will be sitting at the piano making a lot of others happy, just listening or dancing to the music. God Bless You Eddie and We Love You.Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2007 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Visitation will be from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday January 18, 2007 at Watson Funeral Home, with the rosary being prayed at 8 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s and the Altar and Rosary Society.  Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.watsonfh.net.