Major Leland Ellsworth Bontz

Major Leland Ellsworth Bontz, 84, of Bartonville, Illinois, passed away Friday morning, March 9, 2012 at the Methodist Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by his loving family. The celebration of his life began when Leland was born April 15, 1927 in Peoria, Illinois. He was the son of Louis and Eleanor (Clinebell) Bontz. He married Anna Louise Smith on September 19, 1953 in Bartonville, Illinois. She survives.

He is survived by 10 children, Deborah (George) Andreadis of Navarre, Ohio, Diana (Andy) Legaspi of Bartonville, David (Jody) Bontz of Hanna City, Florence (Douglas) Clark of Forest City, George Bontz of Peoria, Patty (Curt) Caudill of Mapleton, Barbara (John) Cunningham of Belleville, Illinois, Linda Look of Mapleton, William (Laurie) Bontz of Bartonville, Robert Bontz of Bartonville. He has 21 grandchildren, Athena Andreadis, John Andreadis, Kelly Harken, Julie Bontz, Shawn Guilliams, Brandon Clark, Jeremy Bock, Nick Bock, Emily Bontz, Jacob Caudill, Joe Caudill, Jessica Caudill, Jack Cunningham, Ryan Cunningham, Shannon Cunningham, Caroline Cunningham, Nick Look, Leland Look, Dalton Bontz, Sydney Bontz, and Dylan Bontz. There are also two great grandchildren, Noah Harken and Reese Guilliams. He is survived by one brother, Clayton (Mary Alice) Bontz of Mapleton, and one sister, Sandra Ford of Bartonville.

Leland was a dairy farmer all of his life in the Bartonville area. He was a WWII Army veteran, serving 5 years active duty and 17 years in the Army Reserves retiring as a Major. He was a member of the Bartonville American Legion Post 979, Peoria County Farm Bureau, National Holstein Association, he was a former 4-H Leader, and was awarded the Progressive Holstein Breeders Registry Award a National Award, for 17 years. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Bartonville.

Leland was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a hard worker and had strong beliefs. He enjoyed taking drives with his wife Anna.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the St. John Lutheran Church in Bartonville. The Rev. Michael Jones will officiate. A visitation will be Monday evening from 4 until 7 PM at the Church, and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the Church. The Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel is in Charge of arrangements. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to his church. You may view Leland’s life story at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.