Leo J. Kelleher (1931-2021)

KELLEHER, CURRY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/4/2021 at 16:22:26

Obituary
Leo J. Kelleher, 89, of Alexis, died Sunday, January 31, 2021 after a short stay at St. Anthony’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Rock Island following years of long-term care by his wife, Doris. A Memorial Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, February 5, 2021, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 312 1st Street, Milan, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Monsignor Mark Merdian a close friend of the family will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island, after the graveside service, friends are invited to a post-burial social at Pagalo's Pizzeria and Gelato Cafe, Milan. Visitors are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan, is assisting the family with services. Memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan.

Leo was born in Reynolds, Illinois on December 30, 1931, the son of John W. and Mabel Curry Kelleher, and grew up on the original Kelleher Family Farm. His home parish was St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Edgington, IL where he was altar boy. He drove himself and his sister, Regina, in a pony cart to Prairie Union School rural Reynolds, and later graduated from Reynolds High School in 1949.

Leo was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, serving in heavy artillery during the Korean War.

Leo married Doris Ann Webb on September 19, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rock Island. Leo and Doris’ son, Daniel, was born in Dubuque and their younger daughter, Kristin, was born in Rock Island.

For the majority of his life, Leo farmed in rural Preemption where he fed cattle and hogs and worked the fields. He taught his children the value of good work ethic. Leo had a unique knack with judging cattle from a young age on the farm, and later became a Cattle Buyer for Dubuque Packing Company. He took pride in buying cattle and cherished the memories of it as he grew older.

After retiring, Leo followed his love for machinery by refurbishing vintage Massey Ferguson and John Deere tractors, and cherished teaching his young grandchildren how to drive a tractor.

Those left to cherish Leo’s memory include his wife, Doris, Alexis; sister, Regina (Dale) Docherty, Auburn, New York; children, Daniel (Lori) Kelleher, Carmel, Indiana and Kristin Hummel, Champaign, Illinois; grandchildren, Morgan Ann Hummel, Trevor John Hummel, and Amanda Therese Hummel, all Champaign. Leo held his nieces and nephews close to his heart.

Leo held friends close to his heart too. Craig (Dawn) Hand, Alexis, Illinois was special friend to the family. Other special people in Leo’s life were Bob Hummel, Champaign, Illinois, Tony Bamert, Champaign, and the late Bernard Schmidt, Reynolds. Leo also was interested in keeping updated about his kid's friends from Sherrard High School and college.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Veronica (Bill) Peterson, and his brother, Tommy (Mae) Kelleher.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

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