Leroy McAvoy

LeRoy McAvoy, 92, of East Peoria, IL, passed away at 12:35 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving wife and family.

LeRoy was born September 2, 1926, in Littleton, IL, the son of Lloyd and Nellie Swanson McAvoy. He raised a family of five in Washington, IL, lived in Ft. Myers, FL for five years, and lived the last few years of his life in Peoria and East Peoria, IL. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Myrna (Sharp), who survives. 

Also surviving are five children, Dan (Karin) McAvoy of Ft. Myers, FL, Steve (Darlene) McAvoy of Washington, IL, Debbie (John) Dickerson of Peoria, IL, Tom (Julie) McAvoy of Morton, IL, and Patty Lester of Washington, IL, 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, sisters Mary Lou McAvoy of Peoria, IL, Donna Silber of Metamora, IL, and Sandra (Don) Hopkins of San Antonio, TX. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Nellie McAvoy, sister Betty Boynton, and brothers Jerry, Richard, and Harold McAvoy.

LeRoy and Myrna met in 7th grade, were childhood sweethearts, married in 1947, and celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on July 5th of this year. LeRoy enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and was proud to serve in the Seabees during WW II. In 2002, he was awarded an honorary high school diploma from Lee County, Florida Dept. of Education, of which he was most proud. He had a long career at Keystone Steel & Wire Company in Bartonville, IL as a wire drawer, and owned and operated McAvoy Monuments with his father, Lloyd, for over 40 years.

LeRoy loved his family, his friends, and he loved life! He never met a stranger. He worked hard and enjoyed summer family vacations, and in later years, he and Myrna enjoyed traveling together. He lived his life with courage, always for others to the very end. He leaves a legacy of love and a giving spirit. We love and miss you, Dad. We’ll always remember to turn out the lights and to shut the refrigerator door!

Graveside services will be held at 10:30a.m., Monday, August 5, 2019 at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. Rev. Mary Arnold will officiate.  A time to celebrate his life will follow at the  First United Methodist Church, 154 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL. Memorials may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515, or www.macular.org or Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20006, Attention: Donor Support or www.pva.org. To share a memory or send a condolence, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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