Edward Paul “Ed” Kownacki, 92, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 2:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Ed was born on Sunday, April 3, 1921 in Tamaroa, Illinois the son of the late Felix Frank and Josephine (Wisniewski) Kownacki.  He married Thelma Stella Chapman on March 15, 1940 in St. Charles, Missouri.  She preceded him in death on June 12, 2007. Surviving family members include his daughter: Marcia J. Spiller of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; son: Myron Kownacki and wife Linda of Mapaville, Missouri; 3 grandchildren: Glenn Spiller and wife Jacquie of Kansas City, Missouri, Joey Spiller and wife Eve of DeLand, Florida and Amy Kownacki of Arnold, Missouri; 3 great grandchildren: Tiffany Spiller of Orlando, Florida, Tammy Sammons and husband Chris of DeLand, Florida and Glenn Edward “Eddie” Spiller II of Nashville, Tennessee; 2 brothers: Raymond Kownacki and Robert Frank Kownacki and wife Stephanie of O’Fallon, Missouri; 4 sisters: Carlene Lotarski of Indiana, Bernice Marszalek of Crest Hill, Illinois, Dorothy Dorey of Saint Ann, Missouri and Helen Mikowski; several nieces and nephews also survive. His parents, wife, son-in-law: Lebern Wade Spiller, and one sister: Anna Marie Annen preceded him in death.    Ed served our country in the United States Army during World War II from 1945 t 1946. While in the military he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He earned a Graduate Degree in Biology and Administration at SIU, a Graduate Degree in Chemistry and Science at New Mexico University, and a Graduate Degrees in Education at the Media Institute in Boulder, Colorado. He worked as a chemistry teacher for Woodlawn High School, Waltonville High School, Mt. Vernon Township High School and Rend Lake College. He was recognized as an Outstanding Educator of America for the 1974-1975 school year. Ed was a member of Jefferson County School Federal Credit Union and served as past president and board member. He also held membership at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1376 of Mt. Vernon, American Legion Post #141 of Mt. Vernon, Moose Lodge Post #755 of Mt. Vernon as a past Governor and Administrator, Elks Lodge of West Frankfort, the NEA and IEA, and the American Chemical Society.  GRAVESIDE SERVICES: will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Tamaora City Cemetery in Tamaroa, Illinois. Reverend Bob Dietz will officiate. VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. INTERMENT: Tamaora City Cemetery in Tamaroa, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to Moose Lodge of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home, cemetery or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.