Leon W.
Chernos
- Visitation 9:30AM-11AM Saturday June 15, 2019 at Heritage Funeral Home (4800 S. 84th street, greenfield WI 53228)
- Service 11AM Saturday June 15, 2019 at Heritage Funeral Home (4800 S. 84th street, greenfield WI 53228)
Chernos, Leon W.
Leon was reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 47 years, June, on June 7, 2019.
During his 87 years, Leon enjoyed playing bridge with June and others, nature, attending his daughters’ sporting events, spending time with his grandchildren, fishing with his son-in-law, refereeing basketball, golf, feeding deer in his backyard, aviation, watching the Packers play, Friday fish fry, June’s delicious bakery and helping neighbors. Leon’s occupations included tradesman, city health inspector, bus driver and auto salvage yard proprietor.
Leon served our country during the Korean War and was a proud member of the American Legion, serving on its Firing Squad and promoting patriotism in grade schools. Leon identified potential in others before they saw it in themselves. He delighted in mentoring others and celebrating their successes. Many will remember his entertaining stories, sense of humor and practical jokes.
Among his numerous accomplishments, Leon’s efforts contributed to the new military service dog memorial on the grounds of the American Legion Post 416 at 6351 W. Grange Ave. in Greendale, WI. Leon coached a girls’ softball team to silver medal victory in the Badger State games.
Most importantly to Leon–and all who knew him–Leon adored June, his daughters Trina Chernos and Tamara (Tammy) Harty, son-in-law Mark Harty, and grandchildren Austin and Jessica Harty.
Words cannot adequately express our gratitude to family, friends and neighbors for their support; Chaplain Maggie Black for spiritual comfort; Todd Seidl of Care Patrol; and Seasons Hospice and The View at Pine Ridge assisted living for their loving care of Leon.
The memorial visitation to celebrate Leon’s life and legacy is Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the FUNERAL HOME from 9:30 a.m. to time of service at 11 a.m. , with lunch and fellowship immediately following. Burial with military honors is on Monday, June 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, WI 53182.
Memorials preferred in Leon’s name to Seasons Hospice Foundation at www.seasonsfoundation.org or to the Greendale Veterans Memorial, www.greendaleveteransmemorial.org
HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME
4800 So. 84th St (414)281-5533
Guest Book and Directions
heritagefuneral.com
Please accept our deepest sympathy – we were so honored to have your Dad in our care at The View at Pine Ridge – Leon certainly was a wonderful part of our family…thinking of you all.
My uncle Leon has left me with lots of impressions, because he was an impressive man. I literally remember meeting him when my Auntie June brought him to our house for dinner to introduce him to our family. That would be my dad, (her brother) and my mom (her former travelling and work friend). Uncle was always championing something or other, and was constantly making sure I understood that I had a right to vocalize what I thought and to not be afraid to stand up and stand out. He always had a hearty laugh and lots of stories… and his war stories made me really visualize the scenes he was describing. He always was was kind of a rabble-rouser, whether it was for the community or an organization. He was NOT a passive individual!!
We are tickled that Karl’s father Heinz was the one who taught Leon how to drive a transit bus for the city, and took much delight in the story of how they first came to know that they had mutual relatives! The story is that Uncle was student driving (with Heinz observing) one day, and the route was southbound on 68th street to the intersection of 68th and Grange. One of them (we don’t know which) kept looking at a certain house on that intersection, and the other asked him why he was staring at it. Heinz said, ” my daughter-in-law’s parents live there” and Uncle Leon said ” “my brother and sister-in-law live there” . Which, of course, was my mom and dad, Lee and Lydia. Wouldn’t that have been fun to listen to them figure that all out??? Small world.
Also, we are grateful for Uncle Leon teaching our son Kollin to drive; Karl thought Leon would be more objective and calmer that he would have been. Leon was VERY patient and we credit him with Kollin being the truly excellent driver he is today.
I admired how he loved and supported Auntie June and how he was a sincere champion of Tammy and Trina, no matter what they did. He and Auntie were fabulous and loving parents in my estimation, and I remember being envious of how their parent-child relationships manifested themselves.
My husband Karl and I already have been missing our phone chats with him over the last few years… his mind was sharp, active and interested and Uncle Leon was always engaging to speak with.
Karl and I are grateful for his love and look forward to being reunited with him and our beloved Auntie June one day……and then forever.
We extend our sincere sympathies to Tammy, Mark, Austin and Jessica, and to Trina.
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