Samuel “Mike” Albano, 85, of Owensville died April 21, 2021, at his home. Mr. Albano worked at the United Nuclear plant in Hematite and the Pittsburgh Plate Glass plant in Crystal City before going to work at the PPG plant in Mt. Zion, Ill., retiring as a quality control manager and supervisor. He had been an accomplished boxer and baseball player, and was a talented pianist and music writer. He was an animal lover and an avid fisherman. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Owensville, as well as a former member of the Festus/Crystal City Conservation Club. Born Nov. 23, 1935, in Crystal City, he was the son of the late Mary Cecelia (Sirna) and Salvatore “Sam” Albano. He was preceded in death by his wife: Irene C. (Messer) Albano.
He is survived by three daughters: Gail Lynne (Bruce R.) Shepard of Wentzville, Linda Sue Baker of Arnold and Donna (Robert) Drewes of Wildwood; five grandchildren: Michelle (Ed) Pawlak, Melissa (Alvin) Trusty, Michael (Tara) Maness, Christina (Adam) Gaebel and John (Rebecca) Boettger; nine great-grandchildren: Kristen Trusty, Kylie Trusty, Cody Trusty, Madeline Boettger, Ean Pawlak, Marshall Maness, Maverick Maness, Nathan Huesgen and Steven Bruns; two great-great-grandsons: Gabriel and Corvin Bruns; a brother: Robert “Bob” (the late Merle) Albano of Phoenix, Ariz.; a nephew: Gregory (Fongsiene) Albano of Glendale, Ariz.; and two great-nephews: Jack and Nick Albano.
Visitation is scheduled from 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Crystal City, officiated by Father Wayne Boyer, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Owensville. Burial with full military honors is in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.