Leroy E. Kelso

Leroy E. Kelso, age 81, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, Illinois.

 

He was born on May 26, 1933 in Truro Township, Knox County, Illinois, the son of Claude Elroy and Myrtle Elizabeth (Gibbs) Kelso.  He married Sandra Gillenwater on October 7, 1979 in Galesburg, Illinois. 

 

Leroy is survived by his wife, Sandra; his children: Deb (Gary) Ross of Monmouth, Illinois; Mike Kelso of Oneida, Illinois; Larry Kelso of Galesburg, Illinois; Wednesday (Nick) Hilligoss of Galesburg, Illinois; Donavon (Elvita) Hilligoss of Galesburg, Illinois; Drake (Andrea) Hilligoss of Peoria, Illinois; his special son, Jeff Jackson; his special granddaughter to be, Brittney Burnett; a sister, Dorothy Jones, of Galesburg, lllinois; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Mitchell Kelso and Wayne Hilligoss; grandson, Johnathon Kelso; great-granddaughter, Deserie McGlown. 

 

Leroy worked for former Black’s Hardware, Meadow Gold Dairy, in Galesburg, Illinois and later retired after forty years from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in 1989.  He also farmed.  Leroy served in the United State Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War.

 

He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, the Galesburg Emergency Police, the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285 in Galesburg, Illinois, Galesburg Amvets Post 8 in Galesburg, Illinois, and active with senior citizens in Wataga, Illinois.  Leroy was an avid outdoorsman enjoying sunflowers and animals, a champion pitch player, photographer, and a Monday morning bingo player.  He was a motorcycle enthusiast. 

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 30, 2015 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois.  Rev. Norman Mendell will officiate.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to the family or Guardian Angels.  On-line condolences or sympathy cards may be sent to www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com