obituaries

Leo Jr

Bethalto |

Leo Eller, Jr, 88, passed away at 6:00 pm Monday, January 2, 2012 at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton with his family by his side.

 

He was born September 27, 1923 in Mt. Olive, IL, the son of the late Leo and Rachel (Addie) Eller, Sr. 

He married Margaret Deist on January 19, 1947 at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto.  She survives.

He graduated from East Alton-Wood River High School in January 1942 where he participated in track, basketball and football. He attended one year of college at Colorado State University before entering the military in 1943. He served his country in the U.S. Navy in the Seabees in Hawaii, the Philippines and China before being discharged in 1946. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities over the years.  He enjoyed traveling, gardening, bowling, cards and woodworking.  He was a volunteer bus driver for the Bethalto Senior Citizens bus for many years after his retirement from Clark Oil and Refinery, where he was head of the oil movements department.  He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Martha Eller of Decatur, IL; one daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and Dave Greiner of Florissant, MO; four grandchildren, Jeff Eller and his wife, Merritt, Kristin Eller, Beth Preusch and Joel and his wife, Brandy Greiner and six great grandchildren, Jordan, Clay and Isaac Preusch, Josiah, Aiden and Mason Greiner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Albert Eller and three sisters, Sally Miller, Margaret (Corky) Davis and Gertrude Rothley.

The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and staff of Villa Rose, Eunice Smith Nursing Home and Alton Memorial Hospital for the care and concern they have shown over the past three years.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Friday, January 6, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto with Pastor Mark Hofferber and Pastor Willard Meyer officiating.

Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran School Tuition Assistance Fund.   

Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com


Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home

Print Version

Join our mailing list Subscribe to our Daily Update
Contact
200 W. Third Street | Alton, IL 62002
Suite 200
618.465.9850
HOME  |   Advertise With Us  |   Job Opportunities  |   Our Partners  |   Web Design Services  |   Contact US  |   Site Map   |  RSS Feeds  |  Email   |  Privacy Policy