Leon Aylward Jr.

Leon V. Aylward, Jr., age 73, of Bourbonnais, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

He was born on October 25, 1947 in Champaign, Illinois, the son of Leon and Jean (Misenheimer) Aylward. Leon was a graduate of El Paso High School and Illinois State University where he graduated with his master’s degree in education. Leon taught at Lincoln-Way Community High School District for 32 years. He taught in Costa Rica for 2 years and has many long-time friends there who also will miss him greatly. Leon and Brock enjoyed many years of worldwide travel.

Leon was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Kankakee and served as their webmaster for their website for several years. He also enjoyed the fellowship games weekly with his church family.

Leon is survived by Brock Harring, his life-long friend and partner; his sisters, Mary Ann Kilpatrick of Pinellas Park, FL, Lois (David) Neer of Richmond, TX, Elizabeth (Brad) Mehn and Chris Hataway of Normal, IL, and CJ (Frank) Muller, of Palos Park, IL and his brother Tom Aylward of Hastings, FL and 15 nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Marcy Kilpatrick and Shirley Cline and his brothers-in-law Charles Kilpatrick, Larry Kilpatrick and Don Hataway and his sister-in-law, Angie Aylward.

Leon was our brother and champion and life saver to all. He showed us how to be better people. He will be greatly missed but is now reunited with our parents and Marcy and Shirley. We have many cherished memories of playing games of Mexican Train, Knock Your Neighbor and other games with him and Brock Harring at one of our homes. He has left a big void in our family. We will all draw nearer to each other and to our Lord during this sad time.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home on Saturday, January 9th from 1-4 p.m. with a memoral service being held at 4 p.m. Pastor Barbara Lohrbach will be officiating. Due to the global health pandemic (COVID-19) the wearing of a face covering will be required to enter the funeral home and social distancing will be observed.  The funeral service will be live-streamed on the Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home Facebook page.  Private interment will be at the El Paso Cemetery at a future date.  Memorials in his name to St. John United Church of Christ or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.  Sign the guestbook at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com