Leon Paul Markey

Leon Paul Markey, 95, died peacefully at home in Belleview, Florida on December 15, 2020. He was born on July 31,1925 in Durham Township, Hancock County, Illinois and was the son of Paul Noland Markey and Grace Byers Markey. He left high school to join the Army, as he was called by Uncle Sam. (In 1980, with his daughter Sherri, he got his GED at age 55 yrs old.)

During his time in the Army he served in the Philippines and Korea in WW II, and achieved the rank of SGT. He had a Sharp Shooter Qualification, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). After he returned home, he met and married Charlotte in 1947. They just celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary this past October. They settled in Dallas City, IL. In 1956, they moved to Florida and after a few moves within the state they settled in Belleview in 2004. He was an Entrepreneur who owned a Mobil Gas Station in Dallas City, IL and later owned the Modern Machinery Company in West Palm Beach, FL. In his younger years he liked to fish the Gulf of Mexico as well as Lake Okeechobee. He was an occasional golfer and an avid gardener. He loved to reap what he sowed.

He was a faithful member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion, in Belleview.

He is predeceased by his parents, a sister (Mary Rees), and 4 brothers, (Lester, Frank, John and Tony)

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, six daughters and one son. Cynthia McLeod (Dearl), Sandra Cooney (Pat), Holly Johnson (Tom), Janelle Kent (Brent), Sherri Godfrey (Ben), Shawn Grabau (Mike), and, Kevin Markey (Kim) as well as 18 Grandchildren, and 8 Great-Grandchildren.

Services will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Ocala FL on Dec 22, 2020 with visitation from 10am to 11am followed by a Funeral Service officiated by Fr. Tom Connery. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers a donation in memory of Leon Markey may be made to Hospice of Marion County, Ocala FL.