Leslie E. Lee Jr.

Peoria, IL

Leslie E. Lee Jr, 82, of Peoria, passed away at 4:42 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Lee was born on December 23, 1929 in Bell City, MO to Leslie E. and Beulah (Archer) Lee. He married Margaret Conner in 1953. He later married Dolores Mae Mergen on November 8, 1975 in Peoria. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Betty Evans and one grandson, Adam Lee.

Surviving are his wife Dolores of Peoria, five children, Carolyn Surrells of Peoria Heights; David (Mary) Lee of Washington, IL; Mark (Lori) Lee of Chicago, IL; Paul (Janet) Lee of Fayetteville, NC; and John (Laura) Lee of Clayton, MO, three step children, Carole deRivera of Tucson, AZ; Jerry (Margaret) Mergen of Livingston, MT; and Steve (Lisa) Mergen of Nashville, TN. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and three sisters, Lois Lee of Iowa City, IA; Ruth Ann (Clark) Anderson of Peoria, IL and Monica (Larry) Gilmer of Sikeston, MO.

Lee worked as a salvage machinist with Caterpillar Inc, retiring after 35yrs in 1986. He attended First Baptist Church in Peoria and was a member of the UAW Local 974. Lee enjoyed hunting woodworking, traveling, flower gardening and he was a good cook.. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.He was an extraordinary manwho's favorite hobby was his family.

Cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. The Rev.Richard Hanson will officiate. Burial of the urn will follow the service at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to the Southside Mission. Please visit Lee's story at www.woolsey-wilton.com