Leslie L. Horrell Sr.

Leslie L. Horrell Sr., 82, of Kankakee, died Thursday (May 31, 2012) at his home, surrounded by his family. He died after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Cremation rites have been accorded. At Les’ request, there will be no visitation. Private graveside services will be held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. The Rev. George Miller will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home Canteen Fund or to Hospice of Kankakee Valley. Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, west Kankakee, is in charge of arrangements. He was born Jan. 31, 1930, in Monmouth, the son of Michael and Mary Horrell. He was a member of River Valley Christian Fellowship in Bradley. Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, the former Fayanne Shughart, whom he married Sept. 11, 1949, in Corinth, Miss. He is also survived by six children, Les (Brenda) Horrell, of Cave Creek, Ariz., Larry Horrell, Susan Horrell and David Horrell, all of Kankakee, Dan (Laura) Horrell, of Bourbonnais, and Maryann (Roger) Kenton, of Kankakee; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Marc (Shelley) Horrell, Tatum, Savannah and Lainey, all of Cave Creek; Matt (Jenn) Horrell, Madeline, Grayson and Macallister, all of Gilbert, Ariz.; Seth (Tracy) Horrell, Sara and Wesley, all of Chandler, Ariz.; Eric Horrell, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Phillip Horrell, of Kankakee; Amanda Horrell, of Chicago; Samantha (Mark) Argyelan, Mark and Lily, of Bourbonnais; Melissa Horrell (grandpa’s angel on earth and caregiver), of Kankakee; and Rebecka Kenton and Jaron Kenton, of Kankakee. After proudly serving his country for 22 years and achieving the rank of chief petty officer, Les retired from the U.S. Navy in 1969. In his earlier years of service, he served on seven different aircraft carriers, working as an aviation electrician. He had a tour of duty in the Panama Canal Zone with his family and then was transferred to Norfolk, Va., where he served with a military air transport squadron. He was a chief aviation electrician and flew as a flight engineer or a crew chief for many years. His final tour of duty was as the Navy recruiter in Kankakee. After retiring, he was employed as an electrician for the Roper Corp. for 16 years, retiring in 1985. He was a devoted family man whose love, wisdom, strength and guidance will be greatly missed. He was always very involved in his children’s activities, coaching baseball for many years. His greatest passion in life was anything that involved family. He was adored by everyone that was involved in his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Kate Tinder. “Even when walking through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding the way.” Psalm 23:4 Memorials may be made for Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno Canteen Fund - www.vfwil.org/Manteno.asp or Hospice of Kankakee Valley - http://hkvcares.com/

Leslie L. Horrell Sr.

January 31, 1930 - May 31, 2012