Thomas H. Leeson

Thomas H. Leeson, age 86, of 128 Highland Avenue, Galesburg, died at 9:20 a.m. Monday, March 06, 2006 in Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg. Mr. Leeson was born January 3, 1920 in Godfrey, Illinois, to William J. and Frieda Hermes Leeson. He married Evelyn Grimm on January 24, 1942 in Bloomington, Illinois. She survives. Also surviving are three sons, Michael (Lynne) Leeson of Hendersonville, TN, Dr. Philip (Susan) Leeson of Dubuque, Iowa and Edward (Patti) Leeson of Galesburg; two daughters, Patricia Leeson of Barcelona, Spain and Mary (Darrell) McGee of Galesburg as well as 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois State University in 1941 and his Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1952. He taught school in Bradford for nine years and was superintendent in Hennepin and DePue for eight years. He was last employed by J.S. Latta school supplies for 20 years, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Father J.O Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556 and the Illinois Teachers Retirees. He was also a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Galesburg. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 10 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend William Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Watson Funeral Home where the rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.