Shelby Leonard

Shelby L. Leonard Marion-Shelby L. Leonard, 83, of Marion, IL, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 3:30 PM at his home. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 1:30 PM at Blue Funeral Home in Marion, IL with Reverend Davis Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the funeral home. Shelby will be buried in Maplewood Cemetery following the service. Shelby was born on March 22, 1927 in Portageville, MO to Ralph & Pearl (Corzine) Leonard. He married his beloved wife Icie Wilkerson on November 14, 1945 in Corinth, MS. After 53 wonderful years of marriage, she preceded him in death on December 3, 1998. He later married Violett (Hubbs) Kelley in July of 1999, who also preceded him on August 17, 2007. He is survived by five daughters, Pearl E. Heltsley, Patricia A. Parton, Marie & Allen Spiller, Wilma & Terry Gill all of Marion and Linda & Keith Vandiver of Savannah, TN; two sons, Charles & Chris Leonard of Washington, IL and J.C. Wilkerson of West City, IL; six grandchildren, Cheryl (Heltsley) & Shawn Davis, Beth (Parton) & Dan McNeill, Beverly Sloan, Brittany Gill, Lonnie & Jennifer Vandiver; ten great-grandchildren, Ashley Heltsley-Davis, Justin Davis, Michael Parton, David Parton, Rebecca West, Katelyn West, Hannah Sloan, Josh Gill, Neveah Gill and Shadrach Richardson; special friends, Louise Galloway, Ermal Basham, Lisa & Clint Sharp and his very special fishing buddy, Roy Taylor. Shelby was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Leonard; mother, Pearl Leonard-Thompson; wives, Icie Leonard & Violett Leonard; sons, Johnny Leonard & Shelby E. Leonard; infant children, James E. Leonard & Icie F. Leonard; sons-in-law, Lynn Heltsley & Harold Parton; grandchildren, Shelby L. Heltsley & Harold K. Parton. Shelby was a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Marion. He worked as a truck driver and in construction for more than 40 years. He loved to hunt, go fishing and camp out. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends whom he loved so very much. Shelby was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be missed greatly by all who knew him.