Manuel V. Leon

Manuel Victor Leon, 95, of Galesburg, died at 2:12 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Hawthorne Inn, Galesburg. Manuel was born December 23, 1925 in Galesburg, the son of Pedro and Delphina (Galves) Leon.  Manuel served in the US Army during WWII fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, earning a bronze star and the purple heart.  He married Barbara Lou Engstrom on January 20, 1948 in Chicago.  She preceded him in death on February 28, 2018.  Manuel is survived by two daughters, Gwendolyn Schulte of Colorado Springs, CO and Karen Engstrom of Galesburg; his four grandchildren, Brandi (Michael) Elkin, Rachel Grimsley, Anthony Schulte, and Erick Thronson; six great grandchildren, Samantha Elkin, Kyle Elkin, Victoria Elkin, Blake Grimsley, Tayla Grimsley, and Deklen Leon Schulte.  Manuel is also survived by three siblings, Sam Leon, Mary Vega, and Jessie Perez all of Galesburg.  Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one daughter Mary Lucille Leon on December 23, 1999; and three sisters, Rose, Julia, and Guadalupe. Manuel worked at Maytag for over 33 years, retiring on January 1, 1991.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, as well as a lifetime member of the VFW and AMVETS.  Memorial Mass for Manuel will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, with Father Lee Brokaw officiating.  The family respectfully requests all those attending the funeral mass to please wear a mask.  Burial of cremated remains will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg with military rites conducted by the Knox County American Legion/AMVETS/VFW Honor Guard.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Honor Guard.