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Leslie Bodell Obituary
WASHINGTON - Leslie K. Bodell, 83, of Washington, Ill., passed away at 6 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at his residence.
He was born on May 5, 1926, in Galena, Ill., to Kenneth and Marie Gronner Bodell. He married Dorothy M. Gehrig on Aug. 17, 1950, in Tijuana, Mexico. She passed away on Aug. 28, 1979, in Peoria. He later married Mary Mezo on Oct. 8, 1988, in Washington, Ill. She survives.
He is also survived by two daughters, Jean (Dale) Jorgenson of Peoria and Kathleen (David) Konkle of Seattle, Wash.; and three grandchildren, Dana, Alexandra and Laura Jorgenson.
Leslie was a brewing technician at Pabst Brewing Company for 28 years, retiring in 1982.
He was active in the astronomy, audubon and geology sections of the Peoria Academy of Science, and also in founding the local chapter of the Sierra Club and in establishing the Rock Island Trail.
He was a member of Brewery Workers Local Union 77, AFL-CIO.
He was an avid hiker, backpacker, mountaineer and climber.
As a member of the Merchant Marines for six years, and during World War II, he served on the Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri rivers and the Great Lakes. He sailed through the Panama and Suez canals and throughout the South Pacific.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary, with the Rev. Jeannette Becker officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the mortuary and 30 minutes before the services. Burial will be in Streitmatter Cemetery near Princeville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peoria Academy of Science Scholarship Fund or Heart of Illinois Sierra Club.
Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leslie Bodell
6 Entries
Maria Zavala
February 1, 2010
Mary,
I'm really sorry for your loss. My prayers to you and your family. Please let us know should you need anything.
your friend,
Maria
Michael Strong
February 1, 2010
I am sorry for the loss of my uncle, I am Rosamonds son Michael Strong, I have only had the pleasure of meeting Les a couple of times in my life, my condolences go out to his family .
Judy Peyton
January 31, 2010
Hi Mary,
Over thirty years ago it seems like Les and my family were often in the same place at the same time, like hiking on the Rock Island Trail or going on the Lakeview Museum Botany Section walks with Irene Cull. I have many fond memories of times with Les when both of us were soaking in the names of prairie plants, trying to stay close enough to Irene so we wouldn't miss it when she said the name of a new plant. We never knew for sure where we were going or how many fences we'd have to crawl under to get there but we trusted Irene to know where every prairie plant was and to know every plant's name. Tom's and my kids were young then but they probably remember Les, too, because they tagged along on many hikes over the years. Les was always up for a hike--that I remember. And he always wanted to learn. Those two things, along with his generousity and his physical strength, stand out in my mind tonight as I remember Les.
With love to you,
Judy (Edwards) Peyton
(in northern Wisconsin)
Jim Waycuilis
January 30, 2010
Les was a great outdoor person, who had a passion for the beauty of the natural environment. He was always eager to share his knowledge with others, un-selfishly. I am glad I knew Les Bodell and shared some good times together. My condolences to all his family and friends.
A Friend
Jim Waycuilis
Mary Gehrig Karnes
January 30, 2010
Mary, Jean & Kathy,
I'm thinking of you all at this time and my deepest condolence go each one of you. Uncle Les was such an enthusiast and passionate about the things he loved to do. He always liked being around mom & dad (Betty & Howard), when we would come from Tennessee. May God comfort you at this time.
John McGill
January 30, 2010
Mary, my deepest condolences are with you and the Bodell family.
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