He was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island on Aug. 25, 1921, to Arthur and Anna (Roberge) Thibault. He married Irene Koeppel March 29, 1945 in Peoria. She passed away May 19, 2010 in Peoria. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Estelle Thibault and Anita Laperle, and two brothers, Victor and Edgar Thibault.
Surviving are his daughter, Janice (James) Gard of Hanna City, two grandsons, James T. (Brigitte Krieg) Gard, Jr, of Pekin, Robert W. Gard of Plymouth, MN, and one great-granddaughter, Payton Ried of Pekin. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Leo was a WWII Army Air Corps veteran serving as a waist gunner on a B-17 Bomber with the 15th Air Force. He flew 50 missions and received several medals. In Oct. 2012, he had the opportunity to go on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Memorials and many other memorials and sites. It was a very memorable trip his daughter had the privilege to share with him.
He worked at Caterpillar, Inc. for 35 years retiring on Feb. 1, 1982. He was a member of the fire department at Caterpillar, and he also was a member of the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years and served as Fire Chief for 10 years.
He was a member of the Bartonville American Legion and was a past member of the Hanna City Sportsman’s Club. He was also a diehard Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan as well.
Funeral services will be Friday Oct. 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery with Military Honors.
Memorials may be made to the Limestone Fire Department or to St. Jude Children’s Research.
Please view Leo’s obituary online at www.Davison-FultonBartonvilleChapel.com
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