Lee Roy ‘Leepy’ Rendleman
Lee Roy “Leepy” Rendleman, 89, of Jonesboro, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau.
He was born on April 27, 1928, in Wolf Lake, the youngest son of William Jacob and Edith (Bradley) Rendleman.
He married Roberta Forrest in 1950, and from this marriage two children were born, Brad (Susan Schuster) Rendleman and Marc Dee Rendleman. In 1991, he married Marla Dexter, and her children became his own, Angie (John) Hand and Brad (Kelley) Dexter. Lee Roy and Marla shared 33 years together; Marla has been his devoted primary care giver much of the time.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Zachary Lee, Tyler Matthew, Lacey Dee Rendleman, Brittany (John David) Pinnon, Dalton Hand and Macy Dexter; great-grandchildren Addison and Meredith Pinnon, and Hayden Hillyard; a former daughter-in-law, Gwen Edwards; in-laws Gene and Mary Lou Wright; brothers-in-law, David (Angie) Wright, Tom (Diane) Wright and Robbie (Suzie) Wright; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins; close family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Roberta Rendleman; a son, Marc Dee Rendleman; two infant children, Troy and Roberta Rendleman; a brother, W.P. “Bud” Rendleman; and a sister Bonnie Jackson.
He answered the call to serve his country during World War II from 1946-1947 aboard the aircraft carrier Kearsarge. He was very involved in community wildlife preservation organizations at both the county and state levels.
He was a member of the Jonesboro First Baptist Church for many years. He sang in the choir and would visit local nursing homes and the Illinois Veterans Home to sing for those shut in.
He was a man of many ventures, some of his proudest accomplishments were serving on the Shawnee High School Board, organizing the Shawnee Valley Water District, the Wolf Lake Sanitary Corp., he was a founding member of the Ware-Wolf Lake Fire Protection District, a Ducks Unlimited Sponsor, helped to bring the Tamms Prison to Southern Illinois, as well as creating ColorFest in Union County and organizing the Illinois Youth Hunt Program.
He served many years as a Union County Commissioner and served on the Union-Jackson Port Authority. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and was a member of Jonesboro Masonic Lodge No. 111 for over 60 years and was a life member of the Oasis Shrine Club. He was also a life member of Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna.
His motto, “I’m Fantastic,” which he shared with everyone he would meet, will forever be in everyone’s hearts.
At the age of 70, he enrolled in Purdue University to complete his degree to process and can high acidic foods. Thus Leepy’s Gourmet Foods was created. He and his assorted products were known throughout the United States.
He fought many hard battles as his health began to fade, but his faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ never wavered. He truly was the epitome of the greatest generation.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, with Brad Dexter and the Rev. Joe Aldridge officiating. Interment was in the Jonesboro Cemetery.
Graveside military rites were conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW and the Navy funeral honor detail.
Memorials can be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or to the National Kidney Foundation.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.