Harvey "Bud" J. Leone

Harvey J. "Bud" Leone, 93, passed away on August 10, 2017 at his home in Peru with his loving wife at his side. 

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Monday in St. Valentine’s Church in Peru with Rev. Gregory Jarzombek OSB officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle with full military honors conducted by the La Salle/Oglesby Veteran’s Memorial Group. Visitation will be in the church on Monday from 9:30 AM until time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born in Oglesby to Frank and Mary (Garzanelli) Leone on September 4, 1923.   He married Lilyan (Bergen) Egan on November 28, 1986. In the 1930’s, he began his working career as a caddy at the Deer Park Country Club.  Later he would serve as that club’s president for several years. He proudly served in the US Navy aboard the U.S.S. Nausau during World War II.  Upon returning from the war, he opened a small gas station in LaSalle.  Later he would sell the station and purchase the Schwab Grain Company from his then mother-in-law.  He later changed the name to Leone Grain and Supply, Inc., and it continues to this day.  He was an innovator of farming practices in Illinois, being a proponent of fertilization.  He loved his role as a partner to the farming community.  In 1969, he began selling snowmobiles. His two sons and two of his grandchildren run the businesses now following the groundwork that he laid.  

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.  No duck or fish was safe when Bud was around. He also loved to fly and had his private pilot’s license for years. Bud had a weekly radio show at WLPO called “Bud’s Party Line.” He had a deep love for his family and passed his passions for family, work and play to his sons and their families. 

Mr. Leone is survived by his wife, Lilyan of 31 years, sons Michael (Mary Chambers) of Peru and James (Linda Washowiak) of rural Arlington.  Grandchildren Douglas of Bloomington, Brian of rural Arlington and Jason of Peru.  Great grandchildren (whom he called Scallywags because they stole his heart): Arianna, Alessia, Allie, Josephina, Elena, Adelyn and Zach. Nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Lilyan’s seven caring children Amy, Beth, Robert, John, Mary, Kelly, and Margaret, and her fourteen grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Evelyn (Schwab) Leone, brother, John, and his sister Catherine (Art) Lund.

Pallbearers will be Douglas, Brian and Jason Leone, Brent Ziegler, John and Robert Egan.

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