Leo Arthur Bomleny

Leo Arthur Bomleny, age 89, of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Kaneville Twp., IL, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2019, with the love and prayers of his family.
Leo was born in Sheffield, IL, on May 23, 1930, to proud parents Peter B. Bomleny and Daisy M. Bomleny (Reynolds).
Until the age of five, Leo and his parents called the farm in Sheffield their home. Shortly after they made their way to Kaneville Twp. to start a new farm and teach Leo about the farmer’s blood he had running through him from his parents and grandparents. They moved a couple of times during their time near the Kaneville and Virgil area, but it was always to farm.
Leo attended local schools in Kaneville Twp. and Virgil, IL. In 1949, Leo graduated from Kaneville High School. Shortly after high school, Leo rented a farm in the Kaneville area with his brother to start in the dairy business.
In 1952, the calling to serve his country came to Leo where he faithfully served until 1954. They hired a farm hand to help at the dairy farm when Leo was away. It turns out that hired hand would change Leo’s life forever.
While home on leave, Leo came to find Mary Clark, the daughter of their hired help. He was smitten at first sight, as he watched her walk up the path carrying a milk pail. Leo swore he would marry her one day, and after Leo was honorable discharged, he got his wish and they were united in marriage on December 30, 1954 in DeKalb, IL. They began their new life together back on the farm in Kaneville Township and continued to tend the fields and cattle, side by side, from sun up to sun down. In 1993, Leo retired from the fields, but still tinkered in the shop, sprayed weeds, mowed grass, worked at the lake and was a constant presence and “supervisor” except during the winter months, when he and Mary left to spend time in Arizona. At some point the sunshine led them away to Tucson, Arizona for good.
Leo was a proud lifetime member of the Batavia VFW and the Maple Park American Legion. He was also a member of the Illinois and Kane County Farm Bureau.
Leo loved to talk….to anyone. He was fond of telling stories, and for the most part they were true. He never met a stranger and a friendship with Leo was a friendship for life. They loved to travel on bus tours and made memories with every stop. Traveling through the southwest and farther east, Leo and Mary took in the sights and sounds of countryside. Their 25th anniversary found them in Hawaii and in November 1987, the whole family went back to Korea where the government hosted an event in appreciation for the troops that had fought there. His hands were rarely idle, but when he did sit down, Leo loved to read his farming magazines at his desk so he could “stay educated”. Above all else, he was a card carrying “proud grandpa ” who will forever be remembered as the one and only “Pop”.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Bomleny; three children: Susan (Tim) Downey, Leon (Tammy) Bomleny and Laura Bomleny; Six grandchildren: Jessica (Eric) Staponkus, Gregory Bomleny, Cody (Heather) Bomleny, Jonathon Hodge, Alayna Reavley and Thomas Reavley; three great-grandchildren: Elise, Alex and Elliot Staponkus; one sister, Mildred Schlueter; many nieces, nephews and a countryside of friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Daisy Bomleny, three sisters and three brothers.
Visitation will be from 10-10:45 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2020, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 123 Countyline Rd., Maple Park, IL, with a Mass to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Maple Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Tributes may also be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Service to follow visitation.

Visitation will be from 10-10:45 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2020, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 123 Countyline Rd., Maple Park, IL, with a Mass to follow at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Maple Park.