Leon George Butcher

Leon George Butcher, age 70, of Moline, died Friday, July 1, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at Fifteenth Avenue Christian Church, 3600-15th Avenue, Rock Island. Visitation is from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Avenue, Moline. Burial is at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made to Fifteenth Avenue Christian Church or University of Chicago Cancer Research Center Mesothelioma Program. Leon was born April 13, 1941 in Rock Island, the son of George and Helen Daily Butcher. He married Diane Louise Dunlap on January 11, 1963 at First Christian Church in Moline. Leon was proud to be a sheet metal worker for 42 years working with Johnson Sheet Metal and The Schebler Co., retiring on April 1, 2003. He was a strong union man for Local 91 and was a union board member. Leon was a 1959 graduate of Rock Island High School, and attended Moline Community College. He was a member of Fifteenth Avenue Christian Church in Rock Island. Leon enjoyed meals with the retirees and classmates. He really loved sports including NASCAR, football, and baseball. His favorite teams being the Blackhawks, Bears, Bulls, Illini and Dodgers. Leon also enjoyed working in his yard. He especially loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchild. SURVIVORS Wife Diane Butcher Children Tracey (Wayne) Leffel, and their children, Torry & fiancée Jessica, Morgan, Tyler Viola Scot Butcher, and his children, Bradley, Mitchell Moline Darren (Michelle) Butcher, and their children, Devin, Seth Davenport Ryan (Sarah) Butcher, and their children, Cal, Molly Bettendorf Great grandchild Jaeci Grace Sisters Clara Delle Thompson Alice Lea (Ron) Lyons Mabel (Roger) Carlson Many nieces, nephews & cousins. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Paula Jean, his parents, and brother, Emerson. Online condolences may be expressed to Leon’s family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.