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- Obit:
MT. ZION — Leonard Eugene Knox, 83, died peacefully at home surrounded by family Saturday (Aug. 4, 2018).
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. James Catholic Church, Decatur. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dawson and Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, with a prayer service at 8 p.m. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Pana.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family requests donations to the Decatur Memorial Hospice Program or St. James Catholic Church, Decatur.
Leonard was born May 13, 1935, in Cowden, to Ruth and Emery Knox. He graduated from Cowden High School in 1953 and enlisted in the Army, where he served as a sergeant in company B, 47th Armored Infantry Battalion during the Korean War. Immediately upon his return from the war, he began work at A.E. Staley and Company, where, after 40 years, he retired as supervisor of operations.
He married Barbara “Jean” Knox of Pana on Oct. 20, 1956. They were married for 37 years and had three children, Ken (Linda) Knox of Champaign, Kathi (Bob) Spencer of St. Peter and Kris (Tina) Knox of Farmer City. His wife, Jean, preceded him in death. Leonard has two surviving grandchildren, Kinsey Spencer of St. Peter and Tori Knox of Farmer City.
Leonard was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Mt. Zion. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and an avid bird watcher. He enjoyed cooking, photography, woodworking, watching Illini sports and spending time with his grandkids. Leonard loved the beach and spent most of his retirement in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he met his companion of 22 years, Thelma Cantelmo, and her family. They enjoyed many travels together.
Surviving are his three children; companion; grandchildren; brother, Roy Knox of Fisher; and several nieces and nephews. Extended survivors from South Carolina are Albert “C” (Anita) Cantelmo and Beth Chillico; extended grandchildren, Alessandra and Joseph Chillico; and close friend, Giuseppe Chillico.
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1935 - 2018 (83 years)
