Leon Gramley

Date of Birth

Oct 31,1943

Date of Death

Jan 15,2010

NAME LEON F. GRAMLEY, age 66, of Kaneville , IL , died unexpectedly Friday, January 15, 2010, at Delnor Hospital , Geneva , IL . BORN: He was born October 31, 1943, the son of Benjamin and Frances (Flanders) Gramley in Aurora , IL . EARLY YEARS: Leon grew up in Kaneville and spent his whole life making memories and taking care of his community. He attended local schools and graduated from Kaneland High School in 1962. He attended Iowa State University in Ames , IA , for a time before graduating from DeVry School of Electronics in Chicago . MARRIAGE: Leon married Margaret Myers in 1965 and they were blessed with two sons, Philip in June of 1967 and Stephen in November of 1969. In later years, Leon would say he met the "love of his life" in 1991 when he met Mary Fecht, a nurse who worked at Delnor Community Hospital . They were married a year later on September 6, 1992 and shared the love of a lifetime, going to concerts and traveling extensively with Disney World high on their list of favorite destinations. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY: Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. In December of 1967, Leon returned to civilian life and worked for Illinois Bell. In 1971, he began farming alongside his brother Elmer on the family farm in Kaneville. MEMBERSHIPS: Leon was a volunteer fireman with the Kaneville Fire Department, later becoming an EMT and Paramedic with Elburn Ambulance for thirteen years. He served on the Kaneville Township Board and elected Kaneville Township Supervisor in 1994. Leon was also the Vice President and sexton for Kaneville Cemetery and was very active in the Kaneville Memorial Day service, serving in the Color Guard, Honor Guard as well as identifying the graves of all the veterans making sure no one was ever forgotten. LIFE NOTES: He devoted his life to the service of his community. Leon ’s thoughts were always of family and community first. Whether it was answering phone calls at all hours, going to the community center late into the evening whenever there was a problem, or checking his answering machine nightly while on vacation just in case there was someone in need of his help. He also was the driving force behind Kaneville Township’s designation as a village, dedicating untold hours until it was official in 2007. Even in death, Leon gave to his community by donating his eyes to those without sight. He was an avid NASCAR fan cheering on Dale Earnhardt with every turn. Leon was a man of many talents, though few knew that while growing up Leon took tap dancing for a time and played the French horn as well as the piano. He also was proud of his collection of Mickey Mouse ties, hats and watches. Every Christmas Leon made the trip Marshall Fields, now Macy’s, and brought home two shopping bags full of Frango Mints which he loved to pass out to family and friends, but his generosity waned when it came to his favorite, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Leon was always ‘fixing’ anything for anyone, from friends to his granddaughters who were always saying, "Papa fix it!", though the end result was always "neat and tidy" it oftentimes included a fair share of electrical tape and form wire. A ‘papa bandaid’ was a folded napkin and electrical tape, which the granddaughters proudly displayed. He will be remembered by many different people for many different things for generations to come, but when anyone thinks about Leon , they all think of the same thing, "Kaneville". SURVIVORS: He now leaves his loving wife Mary of Kaneville, IL, Three sons: Philip (Christine) Gramley of Chicago , IL and Stephen (Leanne) Gramley and their children Lillian and Robert, of Kaneville , IL , Albert (Lori) Fecht and their children, Joshua, Hannah and Emilee, of Leland , IL ; One brother, Elmer (Janet) Gramley and their daughter Sara of Kaneville and a countryside full of friends. PRECEDED: He now joins his parents, Ben and Frances Gramley who preceded him in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m., Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Kaneville United Methodist Church , Kaneville , IL . A remembrance service will begin at 6 p.m. where friends and family are encouraged to share their favorite memory of Leon . A funeral service to celebrate his life will be Friday, January 22, 2010, at St. David Episcopal Church at the corner of Randall and Illinois in Aurora, IL at 1 p.m. Rev. Susan Holstrom, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL. For those unable to attend the services at either church, you may view them live at www.conleycare.com beginning five minutes prior to each service. The services will also be available in an on-demand format 24-48 hours after the services at the same website. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Leon Gramley Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66 , Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 2-6 pm January 21, 2010 with a celebration service at 6 pm at Kaneville United Methodist Church, in Kaneville, IL. A funeral to celebrate his life will be held Friday January 22, 2010 at 1pm, at St.David’s Episcopal Church, 701 N. Randall Rd, Aurora, IL 60506

Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery,

Leave Condolences or Memories