Leslie R. Nell

Born August 15, 1955 in Chicago to George Wayne and Ada LaVerne (Hild) Petri, she married Donald Lee Nell on March 22, 1980 in Pekin. He died November 21, 2006 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are her children, Michael Nell of Pekin, Shaun Nell of Kansas City, Missouri, Brandon "Boomer" (Darla) Nell and Erik Nell, both of Pekin; ten grandchildren, Michael Scheffert, Jade Nell, Caitlin Moran, Shane Nell, Haley Nell, Justin Nell, Ross Smith, Riley Smith, Hunter Nell and Brayden Nell; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Randy (Beth) Petri of Bristol, Illinois; two sisters, Rori (Rich) Hampton of Philadelphia, Tennessee and Becky (Jim) Bowen of Pekin; one brother-in-law, Randy (Becky) Nell of Pekin and many nieces and nephews.

A 1973 graduate of Pekin Community High School, she then studied business administration and management at Illinois Central College.

She worked for the Tazewell County Sheriff's Department for 17 years as a jail clerk, retiring in 2020. She was a retired member of Teamsters & Chauffeurs Union Local 627 in Peoria.

An avid bowler, she was a past president of the Pekin Women's USBC Association. She also was a member of the Pekin Women's USBC Hall of Fame.

Leslie was a very patriotic person who was instrumental in serving with Peoria Area Troop Support. She was a member of the Paul Towne AMVETS Post 169 Ladies Auxiliary and went on to serve three terms as president of the Department of Illinois Ladies Auxiliary.

She was deeply involved with and formerly chaired the March of Dimes annual drive in Pekin for more than 10 years and was a longtime member and volunteer with the Pekin Quarterback Club.

Leslie was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Sean Peters will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, Greater Peoria Honor Flight or the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans in Peoria.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com