Leon Heatherly

Leon Heatherly, age 77, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 9:15 pm on October 13, 2008 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Leon was born on June 20, 1931 in Monmouth, Illinois. He is the son of Samuel Lawrence and Beulah Delma Sanders Heatherly. Leon was reared and educated in the Monmouth area, he attended Monmouth Public Schools and Monmouth High School. Leon was enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was with the Task Force Smith serving in the first heavy artillery Battle at Pusan Korea. After returning from service, Leon married Louise Lucille Thornton on June 18, 1953 in Monmouth. She preceded him on November 14, 2004. He first began work doing Construction in Monmouth. He then drove a truck for Pepsi and for Cavanaugh Trucking. Leon then went to work for the Monmouth Police Department as an officer for a number of years. He later worked as a welder for Mayrath Company and then for International Harvester in Rock Island, Illinois. He worked there for eighteen years from which he took early retirement. After that Leon managed the bar at the V.F.W. where he was a lifetime member. Leon loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He liked to read, watch the History Channel, CNN, and Fox News Network. He also loved to walk. Leon is survived by five daughters; LuAnne Grant & Ron of Navoo, Illinois, Leona Luciano & Robert of Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, Terri St. George & Ken of Monmouth, Linda Hawk & Tom of Monmouth, and Cheryl Heatherly in Peoria, Illinois. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two sisters; Arlene Kirby of Moline, Illinois and Betty Siko & Dick of Kentwood, Michigan, One brother; Mitchell Leroy Heatherly of Moline, and numerous nieces and nephews. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, and two brothers. Services:A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 17, 2008, at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Interment will be in Monmouth Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 at Turnbull Funeral Home where his family will be present to receive friends. A memorial fund has been established for the St. Jude's Unit at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.