Leon Salathe

LEON J. SALATHE, 69 BELVIDERE - Leon J. Salathe, 69, of Belvidere died Sunday, June 12, 2011, in OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center after a sudden illness. Born Dec. 27, 1941, in Harrold, S.D., the son of Jacob and Pearl (Rilling) Salathe. Leon married Mildred M. Johnson on Dec. 7, 1963, in Fort Pierre, S.D. He was a rancher in Nebraska and South Dakota before moving to Belvidere. He then worked for Nissan in Marengo as a maintenance technician. Survived by his wife, Mildred of Belvidere; daughter, Tammy Fouks of Loves Park; son, Tracy Salathe of Belvidere; grandchildren Amanda Fouks, Ashley Fouks, Makayla Hall and Daimen Salathe; great-grandson, Reyce Kempke; sisters Flossie Albright, Joan Lappe and Evelyn Miller; brother, Raymond Salathe; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; sister, Phyllis Ferris; and brothers Kenneth, Orville and Jesse Salathe. Memorial service at 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., with visitation from 6 p.m. to time of service; the Rev. Rene Escalante, chaplain of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, will officiate. Cremation rites to be accorded. To express condolences online, please visit buckwheeler hyland.com.