J. Dean St. Ledger

J. Dean St. Ledger, age 89, of Monmouth, Illinois passed away at 12:50 am on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Monmouth Nursing Home. Dean was born on July 15, 1931 in Monmouth, Illinois and is the son of Joseph Edmund and Lois Audrey Butler St.Ledger. He was raised in Roseville, Illinois where he attended local schools and graduated from Roseville High School in the class of 1948, the same year as his older brother, Paul. In October of 1952 Dean was stationed at Camp Cook, California, with the 44th Infantry Division, an Illinois National Guard division that was activated in early 1952. Being above the demilitarized zone, on the 27th of July 1953 the Armistice was signed and all firing ended at 10:00 pm. Dean was released from active duty on September 25, 1953 but continued to serve with the National Guard until 1965.  Dean married Nancy Joanne Burke on August 9, 1958 in Monmouth, Illinois, as she survives him. Dean began work at Monmouth College in April of 1957. He was hired to work in the heating plant, but that didn't last long before he began his work as an electrician and eventually, he became Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. Dean has been in that capacity at Monmouth College for his entire career and has loved working at MC and especially for the Theatre Department which, after fifty years of service Dean retired. Dean has a very strong work ethic given him by his dad and working on the farm where he developed many skills which served him all his life. Building projects and helping other people was what his niche in life was, as he would tell his son David. Dean was an avid biker for many years and on his 80th birthday, he went on a twenty mile bike ride to prove he could still do it. He loved to read, especially history books on the wars (especially to Korean War) and the Southwest. One just incident was going to Davenport, over several years, to help Bruce and Suzanne Brocka, Dean's niece, and his brother Paul remold and restore many houses. He valued his time with the family. Being with his family was most important to Dean and he was able to teach us many things, how to work, preserve and care for others. 

Dean is survived by his wife, Nancy of Monmouth, one daughter, Aileen St. Ledger of Grayslake, IL; two sons, Raymond St. Ledger of Olympia, WA and Kevin St. Ledger of Phoenix, AZ. Dean's sisters survive, Helen St. Ledger of East Moline and Anita St. Ledger of Quincy, IL. and three brothers, Paul St. Ledger and Therese of East Moline, IL; Don St. Ledger and Ginger and Bernard St. Ledger and Diana, both of Roseville, IL.  Also surviving are his brothers in laws, Chuck Dixon and Keith E. Burke and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in his death by his parents, one daughter Alisa Coleen St. Ledger, one son David, and two sisters, Lois and Mary Barbara.

A Rosary is planned to be recited at Immaculate Conception Church at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 17, 2020 followed by a Mass of the Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Social Distancing and Covid 19 precautions should be observed at the church on Saturday.  Interment and Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Monmouth. Memorial funds are being established for either the Theatre Department at Monmouth College or the Immaculate Conception Chuch. To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.

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