LEON PHELPS

Date of Birth

September 24, 1935

Date of Death

September 22, 2021

Leon Wilbur Phelps passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at the Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb, IL, just 2 days shy of his 86th birthday.

He was born September 24, 1935, to Sherman Phelps and Mabel Lye Phelps Farley of Kaneville, IL.

Leon grew up on his grandparent’s farm near Kaneville along with his older sister Pat and older brother Ted. Fire destroyed the farmhouse in February of 1936 followed by the death of his father a month later. A small house was built for the family next door to the large farmhouse where he was surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Leon was educated in the Kaneville schools and graduated from Maple Park High School, later attending the University of Illinois. He graduated from U of IL with a degree in agriculture.

Leon took his education home to farm for his stepfather, Albert Farley, where he worked for a number of years before retiring to Oak Crest Retirement Center where he made many friend and memories for the last ten years.

He was an active member of the Kaneville United Methodist Church his entire life, attending men’s bible study and could often be seen drying dishes in the kitchen at the Fall dinner.

Leon was a quiet and reserved man, but his gentle nature belied his passion for the Chicago White Sox and the University of Illinois teams.

He is survived by his brother Ted (Norrain) Phelps; four nieces: Christine Breen, Kathy Frieders, Sandra Lake and Susan (David) Miller; a nephew, Steven (Vickie) Phelps, great, as well as great-great nieces and nephews; cousins Lynette Werdin, Keith Phelps, Sylvia Helser, Earl and Norman Shepard and Myron Lye and a lifetime of friends in Kaneville and at Oak Crest.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his stepfather Albert Farley, sister Patricia, and brother-in-law Don Frieders; nephews, Douglas Phelps and Kevin Frieders, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Kaneville Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to attend. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Leon’s name to benefit the Kaneville United Methodist Church as well as other favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Leon Wilbur Phelps Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Kaneville Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to attend. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.