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Richard Leesman

[April 05, 2012]  LINCOLN -- Richard Allen Leesman, 86, of Lincoln, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at 6:35 p.m. at Maple Ridge Care Centre.

(Below is a copy of the obituary from the funeral home.)

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Lincoln-Richard Allen Leesman, 86, passed away on April 3, 2012 at 6:35 p.m. at Maple Ridge Care Centre.

He was born August 14, 1925 in Harmon, IL, the youngest of three sons of Benjamin and Abigail Iles Leesman. He attended Hartsburg High School.

Richard was a Marine veteran of WWII, stationed in Guam. While building an air strip, his Caterpillar road grader hit a land mine and he was severely injured. After many months of recuperation, he was given a medical discharge and returned to Lincoln accompanied on the plane, then a train, by a male nurse.

Richard was a life member of many military organizations: American Legion
Post #263; VFW Post #1756; Disabled American Veterans Post #95; 40 and 8
Voiture Post #985; Marine Corps League; AMVETS of WWII, Korea; Vietnam Post #71.

He held many offices, Post Commander of most, devoting his life to the service of his fellow veterans. Until his health prevented him from attending, he always volunteered and often organized the color guard for so many funerals.

He was very proud to be a Marine.

During his lifetime he sold Woodman Insurance, owned and operated
three taverns/restaurants (7 Mile Corner and two locations of Dick's Place), sold
cars for Aue Buick, and a bartender at the Harris Gold Mine.

He was married to Carolyn Noling from Moweaqua from 1948-1967 and they had two children: Douglas Richard Leesman of rural Emden and Kathryn
Rebecca Webb, formerly from Carbondale, now of Mt. Pulaski.

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His long time companion of over 30 years, Iva Brelsford, died as a result of
an auto accident in December 1996.

Richard was an avid horseman, winning many show ribbons. He owned, sold and traded any and all items needed in the horse business. He led the horses to the post at the Logan County Fair for many years and was head time keeper at
the horse races from 1967-2006.

He also was a member of the Belgian Draft House Corporation of America. He rode in surrounding area parades, either with his horses or on the 40 and 8 fire truck. His memberships also included the
National Rifleman Association, Ducks Unlimited, Quails Unlimited, and the
Humane Society.

Surviving are his two children; granddaughter, Stephanie Ann Leesman and her two children Austin and Allison, and his first wife, Carolyn R. Sams of Mt.
Pulaski. He was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Robert, Brother Edward and companion Iva.

Richard was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and of the Knights of Columbus #1250.

In August 2007 after heart surgery he moved to St. Clara's Manor, Lincoln,
then in February 2008 to Maple Ridge Care Centre, Lincoln, where he resided
until his death.

The family is forever grateful to the staff of Maple Ridge, especially Michelle Eyrse, for their years of care given to our Dad.

Services are at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader
Funeral Home, Lincoln, with Rev. Glenn Fontana presiding.

Interment is at Holy Cross Cemetery, Lincoln with full military rites accorded by American Legion Post #263 of Lincoln.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the family or the donor's choice.