Servando Padilla
Bridgeview man’s body recovered from I&M Canal
By Bob Bong
A Bridgeview man’s body was recovered last week after he slipped and fell into the Illinois & Michigan Canal in Willow Springs.
He was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Servando Padilla, 61, of Bridgeview. His death was ruled as an accidental drowning.
Padilla was walking along the I&M Canal in Willow Springs the evening of July 10 when he slipped and fell in and never surfaced, said Willow Springs Village Administrator Ryan Grace.
“It was an unfortunate accident,” Grace said.
Tri-State Fire Department Fire Chief Sam Molinaro said Padilla’s body was found about 4 p.m. on Monday, July 11.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 16, at the Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Road, Summit.
Survivors include his parents, Andres Padilla and Margarita Padilla; his siblings, Octavio Padilla (Graciela), Enedina Ruiz (Jose), Socorro Ramirez (Aron), Carmen Rodriguez (Felipe), Florina Ornelas (Alberto), Virginia Ornelas (Ramon), Gilberto Padilla (Rosario) and Delia Padilla.
He will be buried in Mexico.
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