Leonard A. Branchaw
January 1, 1924 — August 9, 2013
Leonard A. "Baldy" Branchaw, age 89, late of Joliet, died on Friday, August 9, 2013. He is survived by his children, Lenore (Ben) Branchaw-Harr, Leonard (Colleen) Branchaw and Luke (Joyce) Branchaw; grandchildren, Carly (Justin), Kaitlyn (Tony Montijo), Nathan, Matthew, and Andrew Branchaw; great-grandson Ethan; sister, Marcella (late John) Autero, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Cecelia and Andrew Branchaw, his beloved wife of 63 years, Elizabeth "Liz" (nee Horvath); sisters, Cecelia (Joseph) Trizna and Mary Ann (Edward) Keen; brothers, Francis (Catherine) and Raymond (Julia) and sister-in-law, Rosemary (Joseph) Uremovic.
Leonard was born in Joliet and was a lifelong resident who graduated from Joliet Township High School. He was a retired member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 265. He was a World War II veteran having served with the Cannon Company 106th Infantry, 27th Division in the Pacific Theatre as a mobile tank gunner. Leonard served his country in the battles of Eniwetok, Okinawa, Saipan and Tarawa. He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, the former Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, New Lenox VFW No. 9545, Senior Citizens of Will County, and the Joliet Eastside A.C. where he and friends Joe, Ray, Tommy, Fritzee, Mooney, PeeWee, Millie and Sleepy met on Thursday nights for more than 60 years to play euchre and share their friendship. Leonard enjoyed dancing with his wife, mushroom hunting, and watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and activities. He enjoyed making sausage and never saw a dessert or pastry he didn't like.
A Celebration of Leonard's life will begin on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 10:00 am with a memorial mass at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1313 Ridgewood Avenue, in the Ridgewood area of Joliet. Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery will be held privately. Memorial visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until the time of the mass. There will be no services at the funeral home.