Leonard Joseph Lourdeau

PRINCETON — Leonard Joseph Lourdeau, 85, of Princeton passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton. He was born Jan. 27, 1927, in Westville, Ill., to Joseph and Rena (Stauqet) Lourdeau. He graduated eighth grade from South Central in Dixon and attended Dixon High School for two years. He married Alice M. Gabelmann on Oct. 15, 1952 in Dixon Il. He served as past president for the Princeton Jaycees and Kiwanis Golden K's, and as past commander of the V.F.W. and American Legion. He was a life member of the Illinois Police Association. He was also a member of A.A.R.P., AMVETS, Sauk Valley Gun Club, N.R.A. and the First Lutheran Church. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War as a staff sergeant. He served five years on active duty and eight years in the Reserve. He was a Princeton Police officer for more 20 years, retiring on July 30, 1982. He also served as a city commissioner for four years. He was the A.A.R.P. king in 1992. He started the Kiwanis Golden K Club in 1987 and was the charter president. He started the Gold Coats with Kate Deaner at Perry Memorial Hospital and the Pall Bearers Club with Dennis Johnson. He help organized the Salvation Army surplus food distribution. He helped families of veterans apply and receive memorial markers for cemeteries. He volunteered and helped senior citizens with their medical assistance. He also took part in Meals on Wheels. He served as the Memorial Day chairman in Princeton for many years and helped put flags up on Main Street. He also served many years as a service officer for veterans and families. He was instrumental in the new American Legion, V.F.W. and AMVETS Post in Princeton. He helped coordinate and volunteered at past disaster drills. Surviving are his children, Louis (Janene) Lourdeau of Bishop Hill, Keith (Alison) Lourdeau of Winchester, Mass., and Christine Staton of Princeton; seven grandchildren, Matthew (Amanda) Lourdeau of Salem, N.H., Thomas Lourdeau of Lynchburg, Va., Jaclyn, Amelie and Noemi Lourdeau of Winchester, Mass., and Joseph and Benjamin Staton of Princeton; one great-grandchild, Timothy Lourdeau of Salem, N.H.; one brother, Leyland Lourdeau of Harrison, Mo.; and one sister, Lorraine LeRette of Nachusa, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice M. Lourdeau, in 2008; and one grandson, Adam Christian Lourdeau. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, with Pastor Norman Femrite officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after the services. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.

Leonard Joseph Lourdeau

January 27, 1927 - January 5, 2013