Leo Dugger
Bethalto | Save
Leo “Crazy Legs” Dugger, 85, passed away at 3:28 pm Saturday January 4, 2020, at Jerseyville Manor.
He was born on November 15, 1934 in Jerseyville, the son of Glenn Olin & Emma Elizabeth (Bowers) Dugger.
Leo graduated from Jersey Community High School and then joined the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Cottage Hills VFW Post and the Bethalto American Legion Post.
He married Mary Louise Elikofer on December 12, 1954 in Evansville, IN and she preceded him in death on August 24, 1996.
Leo was a member of the Bethalto United Methodist Church.
In his early years he worked for Owens Illinois Glass Manufacturing as a mold maker. He started Dugger Swimming Pools in 1962 and served the pool industry by being a member of the St. Louis Pool Association and serving as President of the Greater St. Louis Swimming Pool Association for the National Swimming Pool Institute. Leo also previously started and operated Dugger Sporting Goods.
Leo was also a member of the Village of Bethalto City Council and served as a Trustee. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts, the DeMolay and the Bethalto Jaycees. He was an avid horse lover.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Vicky (Vernon) Hamel and Jill (Keith) Arnold, and a son and daughter-in-law, John (Peggy) Dugger, all of Bethalto; ten grandchildren and spouses, Justin (Clara) Hamel, Jessica Hamel, Brady (Tiffany) Dugger, Megan (Kasey) Govero, Ryan Dugger (Katie McKeon), Molly (Mark) Grelle, Mallory (Ryan) Fechte, Mallory (Joey) Lish, Morgan Arnold (Fiancé’ – Adam Meyer), and Mandy Lou Arnold (Christian Kieffer) fifteen great grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, Laverne “Bernie” (Edith) Dugger of Jerseyville, a sister, Janet Gerbig of Jerseyville and a special companion, Wanda Holmes as well as several nieces and nephews
In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Tina Lee Dugger; a son, Guy Allen Dugger; and Aunt and Uncle, Wendell & Obera “Bea” McMillen and a brother-in-law, Ervin Elikofer.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday January 8, 2020 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Bethalto United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Pyatt officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto with military rites by Alton VFW Post 1308.
Memorials may be directed to Bethalto United Methodist Church or Happy Hooves Equine Rescue.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
