Orville Lee Sova, 88, of Collinsville, Ill., born April 17, 1927, in Caseyville Township, Ill., died Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

Orville served in the U.S. Merchant Marines and U.S. Army. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He traveled all over the world, making many trips to Italy where he met the love of his life, his wife Maria. He worked 29 years for Trans World Airlines (TWA) retiring from there in 1989. He was a member of the SS Samuel Parker Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, the TWA Seniors Club, and a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW. Orville lived a long and great life. He was a very giving, caring, and compassionate man and will be remembered for his character, strong work ethic, generosity, love of life and all the special times he shared with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Sova; parents, Matthew "Greek" and Mary Irene, nee Yount, Sova; two sisters, Betty Jean Shelton and Mary Louise Lankford; a brother, Robert Sova; and a grandson, Elijah Lebcowitz.

Orville is survived by daughters, Kathy Sova of St. Charles, Mo., Juanita Sova of Granite City, Ill., and Sheila Sova of Glen Carbon, Ill.; sons, Dennis (Dorene) Sova of Bailey, Colo., Robin (Mary) Sova of Overland Park, Kan., Leslie Sova of Belleville, Ill., and Marc (Lia) Sova of Edwardsville, Ill.; grandchildren, Dominic (Jenna), Tyler, Alexandra, Spencer, and Adrian Sova, and Nick Lebcowitz; and great-grandchildren, Zella and Cy Sova. Orville was a dear uncle, friend, and cousin to many.

Memorials may be made in the form of Masses to Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, Ill., or to a veteran's organization of the donor's choice.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon, Ill.