LEON CARL PENFORD, 70, of Evansville, Illinois, passed away at 9:29 pm, Friday, May 30, 2014 at Red Bud Regional Hospital in Red Bud, Illinois. He was born to Leo B. and Violet (nee: Kempfer) Penford on May 20, 1944 in Riley Lake, Illinois. He married Ellen J Mallow on November 13, 1965 in Milwaukee, WI. She survives. He was a retired from Farming, Coal Mining and an over the road truck driver for Gilster Mary Lee Corp. He was a Navy and Seabee Veteran serving during the Vietnam Era and the Persian Gulf War. He was a member of Grace Church Ministries, the Knights of Columbus Council 3790, American Legion in Evansville, and VFW Post 3553 in Chester. He enjoyed gardening, farming, driving a tractor and helping the Chester Food Pantry. Leon Loved to help people. Survivors: Wife: Ellen Penford Evansville, IL Mother: Violet Penford Chrisman Ellis Grove, IL 2 Sons: James (Adena) Penford Ellis Grove, IL Matthew Penford Evansville, IL 2 Sisters: Brenda (Bob) Pautler Evansville, IL Alesia (Michael) Steinberger Severna Park, MD 5 Grandchildren: C. J. Penford Jessica Lynn Penford Zechariah Carl Penford Bethany Rose Penford John Dale Penford 2 Nephews: Jeff Pautler and Byron Sauer Preceded in death by: Father - Leo Penford and 4 Children - Thomas Paul Penford, Tiffany Ann Penford, William Joseph Penford and Theresa Penford Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Wednesday, June 4, 2014 Grace Church Ministries, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Rev. Ron Coleman Visitation: Tuesday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Wednesday - 9:00 am - 11:00 am Grace Church Ministries, Chester, Illinois Interment: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery Chester, Illinois Memorials: Family Choice c/o Ellen Penford
