Leslie Len McGee (70) of Watson

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Published on January 14 2022 9:04 am

Leslie Len McGee, 70, of Watson, IL passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL. 

Funeral services for Len will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Flora, IL. Visitation will be held from 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Sunday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be given to Blessings in a Backpack. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Len was born at Clay County Hospital on October 7, 1951, to John Thomas and Leota (Shirley) McGee. He married Nancy Mack in October 1969; she survives him. He is also survived by two children, Matthew (Sheri) McGee of Effingham and Sarah (Nathan) Kreke of Edwardsville; grandchildren, William, Thomas, Michael, and Samuel McGee and Johnathan, Benjamin, and Kennedy Kreke. Len is also survived by a sister, Kay (Bruce) Thompson of Allerton, sister-in-law Billie England of Flora, and niece and nephews.

Len grew up in Louisville, was baptized at Old Union Church of Christ and graduated from North Clay Community High School. He retired from World Color Press and the United States Postal Service. At the age of 60, he was diagnosed with MS. While MS hindered his mobility, he still found a way to plant a large garden for many years and would ride on the tractor with his beloved dog, Abby.

Len would answer to many names throughout his life, Leslie, Les, Lester, Len, even his childhood nickname, Guinea, but his most treasured name was Papa. He loved showing his grandchildren how to do forward rolls and headstands, wrestling with all 7 of them at once, teaching them to drive on the country roads, and sharing his love of horses and gardening with them. He loved his family immensely.

Len was preceded in death by his parents and son, Mark William.