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Luke R. Gleason Sr. Obituary
He was born Nov. 12, 1917, in Bloomington, to Paul "Red" and Josephine Watson Gleason. He married Eleanor Kraft on June 10, 1944, at Holy Trinity Church in Bloomington.
He received his Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University. While at ISU, he played football and was the quarterback in 1938 and 1939. He was known as "Loopin Luke" for his spectacular passes and once played two football games in one day. After graduation, he went on to teach and coach at Cathedral Boys High School (now Sacred Heart Griffin), Edison Junior High and Lanphier High School. At Cathedral Boys, he coached football, basketball, baseball and track. He coached the 1948 basketball team to the state tournament, making them the first Catholic high school to qualify for state.
He was the co-founder of the Springfield City Basketball Tournament. He was a member of Holy Trinity High School Sports Hall of Fame in Bloomington, as well as the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, where he was on the parish council and served as an usher. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club and was president for several terms of the Northend Improvement Association. He also enjoyed being a sports official.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jack Gleason; two brothers, Tom and Bill Gleason; and three sisters, Rosemary Totterer, Nellie Hardesty and Margaret Kern.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Gleason of Springfield; two sons, Luke R. (Patricia) Gleason Jr. of Springfield and Jim (Janice) Gleason of Cary; a daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Gleason of Louisville, Ky.; 11 grandchildren, Brad (Ashley) Gleason, Katie (Samuel) Wenzel, Mary Therese (Ed) Carr, Caroline (Andrew, III) Dutkanych, Meg (Oliver Board) Gleason, Jack (Margaret) Gleason Jr., Tom Gleason, Ted (Lisa Devy) Gleason, Joe Gleason, Annie Gleason and Mike Gleason; six great-grandchildren, Ellie, Abbie and Jack Gleason, Andrew IV, and Samuel Dutkanych and Cleary Jo Carr; and several nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service at 5 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at St. Joseph Church, 1345 N. Sixth St., Springfield with the Rev. Thomas P. Holinga, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, Springfield Office, 6 Drawbridge Road, Suite 4, Springfield, IL 62704, or to Holy Family Food Pantry, 1023 E. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62703.
Visit Luke's online life story at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
For information, call the funeral home at 217-544-4646.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Luke R. Gleason Sr.
Betty Clemons-Taylor
December 17, 2009
Dear Eleanor, I was so sorry to hear of your loss, I loved Luke , he was always happy and very kind to me ,as were you. We spent many nights together at the Red Coach , and had a wonderful time. May God watch over you and your family until you all see Luke again in heaven . all my love Betty
Steve Frank
December 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Larry Harnly
December 11, 2009
Luke, your dad was one of the good guys I encountered in my years at the sj-r. I usually had occasion to talk to him about the good old days, and he was always willing to help. Sorry to hear about his passing, but I am sure you have many great memories.
Janet Wolff Foster
December 11, 2009
Luke:
Sorry to read of the passing of your Father. Rich knew him well. I remember the many Sundays Rich & I saw your Mom, Dad and you and your family at Scampy's after Mass. Sadly, all are gone now: Scampy's, Rich and your Dad. Memories will keep us going.
Robert Smith
December 11, 2009
Sorry for yor loss,On behalf of the class of 1979 LANPHIER HIGH SCHOOL,Rest in peace Mr. GLEASON.
CLASS OF "79"
Art & Jean Spiegel
December 11, 2009
Our sympathy to the family. Luke was a special person and friend. He had a neat way of putting a little humor in life. It was always a pleasure being in his company.
Don Trello
December 10, 2009
Luke, Condolences to you and your family. I have the utmost respect for your parents and I'm fortunate to have you for a friend.
Clovis Harrell
December 10, 2009
God bless all of you,a fine teacher.Lanphier class of 1960
Dorothy Nydegger & Cindy Parkhill
December 10, 2009
Our sympathies to you and your family, Luke, on the loss of your father. Your neighbors and friends on Wickford.
Tom Armstead
December 10, 2009
God Bless you Luke and all your family.
Steve Palmen
December 10, 2009
As a neighbor of ours on Fifth street, we always enjoyed speaking with your Dad. We knew that he and Ted Boyle had always been close friends. May GOD BLESS YOU and your family. Sure that Luke has gone to a better place.
Ron Turner
December 10, 2009
Luke, Jr.,
My sympathies to you and all your family on the loss of your father.
I was in your Business Law class in my senior year of high school, 1977.
Best Wishes Always,
Jimmy Meinert
December 9, 2009
I was so sorry to hear about Luke. I havn't hear from him in a long time but he use to come visit me at my diner on peoria rd. and tell some really good stories of his teaching and coaching days.He will alway be remembered for his great work as a teacher.My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.God Bless.
Jan Brooks Walker
December 9, 2009
Gleason Family - Mr. Gleason was my science teacher at Edison and he knew my parents and brothers as well. He was a great science teacher! I always loved the City basketball tournament and watching LHS. My thoughts are with you at your time of loss.
Auggie Egger
December 9, 2009
Mrs. Gleason & family
My sympathy to all of you.
I had the pleasure of playing baseball for 4 years at Cathedral for Coach and enjoyed every minute.
Auggie Egger(1954)
Lisa Potter
December 9, 2009
Eleanor, It's hard to describe the impact that you and Luke have had on me. A lifetime of memories, always fun. The cookouts, Easter egg hunts across the street in Lincoln Park, Seeing Luke drive by our house every day and honk and hear my dad say "Theeere's Luke!" Hearing his voice announce football games and tell jokes which you would always respond to with "Ohh Luke". I can still hear him laugh and see his smile. All the holiday get togethers. We had the best childhood because of your friendship with Elsie and Ray. It's a sad day for me, but the lifetime of memories make me smile. Thank you for being the best God Parents. I love you both dearly.
Lisa Ramsey Potter
Dec 9, 2009
Palm Beach, FL
Paul / Dee Scheuermann
December 9, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sue (Davies-) and Bill Yoggerst
December 9, 2009
Eleanor, Luke and family. I will always remember my first two years of teaching spent at Edison Jr. High with Luke, Sr. Ted Boyle and all the other wonderful people who taught there. I was very "green behind the ears" so was an easy mark for all the jokes! He was great giving the announcements at school because you never knew what he was going to say. It was such a great introduction to teaching. He was such a wonderful teacher, husband and father. He had a great life and he will be missed by all who knew him.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We are in Arizona so we will miss seeing you in person.
Bob Denny
December 9, 2009
Mrs. Gleason and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Luke was a good coach and had a positive infuence on many students. Bob(CBHS, 1950)and Cindy Denny
Sara Kay Ruebling
December 9, 2009
I had the pleasure of meeting Luke & Eleanor via my part-time bartending job at Frannys. They were the sweetest couple and I always enjoyed seeing them. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Eleanor and the entire family. What a wonderful man he was.
Heather Kalb
December 9, 2009
Gleason Family....My prayers are with you. Luke will truely be missed. I already miss that "smile". Such a pleasure to have known your family and care for Luke. I am so sorry for your loss. Love Always, Heather Kalb
Kathy Miller
December 9, 2009
Luke R. Gleason, Jr., I was truly sorry to read of your father's death today. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kathy Miller, Red Cross, DAT Responder
Karl Lercher - Exalted Ruler 158
December 9, 2009
On Behalf of BPOE ELk Lodge #158: We would like to express our condonences to the family of Luke Gleason. Gods Love.
Frank Grabski
December 9, 2009
Luke,
It's never a good time to lose someone you love, but the holiday season is even worse. You and your family are in our prayers at this time.
Frank & Linda
JOHN STAAB
December 9, 2009
Luke's Family: So sorry to read about the death of Luke, I played for him at CBHS, he was a good coach and I always enjoyed talking to him when I saw luke and his wife out. Although I can't be there in person he will be in thoughts and prayers.
Jim Thomas
December 9, 2009
My favorite all time science teacher at Edison Jr. High. Rest in Peace Sir.
Lanphier class of 1974
Myrtle & Bob Smarjesse
December 9, 2009
Eleanor
Our sympathy to you and your family. We will also remember the good times at Frannys.
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