Leo Vartanian

LEO D. VARTANIAN, 95 ROCKFORD - Leo D. Vartanian, 95, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2011. He was born Aug. 20, 1915, in Indianapolis, the son of John and Eran Vartanian. He served in the Army Air Corp during World War II from 1942 to 1945, in the Pacific theatre. After serving his country, he studied art at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. He was employed as a commercial artist for more than 30 years: first as a free lance artist, then ending his career working for The Atomic Energy Commission, The University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory in the graphics and motion picture departments. He retired in 1979. Leo was one of the original members of the Chicago Aeronuts Model Airplane Club, founded in the 1930s. He was also a member of The Academy of Model Aeronautics, and he held a civilian pilot's license. Leo married Marian Talento on April 17, 1948, in Chicago. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marian; daughter, Ellen Vartanian-Maher (Barbara Hawk); son, Michael (Jana); grandchildren, Heather Maher (Christopher Konitz), Matt (Lauren) Vartanian, Eran (Nik) Rubicz, Melanie Vartanian and Matthew Comparone; great-grandson, Van Rubicz; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents, John and Eran Vartanian; brothers Walter, Charles and Hamlet; and sisters, Mary, Ophelia, Agnes and Dorothy. The family would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff at Amberwood Care Center in Rockford. No services will be held at this time. Cremation rites accorded.