W. Leon Gunn

IN MEMORY OF: W. Leon Gunn Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – ANNA 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, Illinois W. Leon Gunn, age 98, of Anna, died peacefully with his loved ones at his side at 1:55 PM on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion. He was born November 27, 1925 to Don C. and Nellie (Wilkinson) Gunn in Villa Ridge, Illinois. He was united in marriage to Nancy Hubbs on June 5, 1976. Leon was the oldest member of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Anna. He was a charter member of VFW Post 8891-Mounds, member of the Caledonia Lodge #47, Cairo Elks Lodge, and Sons of the American Revolution. He was employed in the cottonseed processing business for 40 years, starting with Swift & Co. in Cairo, IL and retiring from Helena Cotton Oil Company Inc., Helena, Arkansas in 1990 as general manager. During his tenure in Helena, his professional service and accomplishments were as follows: Director and President of the Mississippi Valley Oilseed Processors Association, Director or the National Cottonseed Processors Association and a crusher delegate to the National Cotton Council. He also was a member of the Arkansas State Committee on Cooperatives and in 1990 was recognized for his outstanding contribution to cooperatives and agricultural development in Arkansas Leon served his country in the US Army from Mar. 20, 1944-Apr. 24, 1946. He was with the tank destroyers and the 97th Chemical Mortar Battalion that was part of George Patton’s Third Army. Battles and campaigns were in Central Europe. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargeant with a European Theatre of Operations Ribbon and one bronze battle star. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; eight nieces and nephews, Barbara Throgmorton, Anna; Jackie Moore, Mounds; Jerry Gunn, Anna; Carol Eskew, Naperville; Donna Washam, Mounds; Michael Phegley, Florissant, MO; Meredith Anne Kraushar, Derby, KS; Karen Lucarelli, Narragansett, RI; great and great great-nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert Gunn, Ned Gunn, Don Gunn, Jr. and Jack Gunn; three sisters, Rosemary Walton, Jean Armstrong, and Betty Conner; two nephews, Wesley Walton and Bobby Gunn; and a niece, Linda Childress; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John & Ruby Hubbs; and a brother-in-law, Jack Hubbs. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, October 14 at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro and from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 15 at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Anna. Funeral Services for W. Leon Gunn will be on Tuesday, October 15 at 11:00 AM at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Anna with interment to follow at Anna Cemetery. Rev. Mark Kirk will be officiating and military honors will be conducted at the church by the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Team and area veterans. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Anna, and will be accepted at the funeral home. Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.

W. Leon Gunn

November 27, 1925 - October 11, 2024