Robert Dale Leipold, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Lightways Hospice in Joliet.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Philip Potaczek, Pastor officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where Full Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard, and Laura Hall, Technical Sergeant with the US Air Force Band of Mid America stationed at Scott Airforce Base, playing Taps. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Bob was born on November 2, 1931 in Ottawa, to Harold Carl and Mildred Fern (Pettite) Leipold. He was a veteran of the US Navy and served in the Korean Conflict. Bob enlisted on January 4, 1951 and was discharged on November 9, 1954. He was a 3rd Class Quartermaster aboard destroyer escort, USS Raymond. Bob married Gloria D’Ercole on September 11, 1954 in Cranston, R.I., and returned to Ottawa where he worked at Libbey-Owens Ford and Happy Harold’s Honda, retiring after 39 years. He also drove for Kenn Motors and worked for Friendship Village. Bob was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Shoreline Boat Club, American Legion Post 33, the Moose and Variety Riders Motorcycle Club. He enjoyed boating, woodworking, motorcycle riding, and most of all spending time with his family and friends. Bob also loved watching birds, sitting on the lanai in Florida watching manatees, dolphins, and alligators, while lovingly taunting Gloria, the love of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; two daughters, Cathy (Doug) Shumway of Ottawa and Lynne (Suzanne) Leipold-Bertolino of Commerce TWP, MI; two grandchildren, Tammara (James, Jr.) Kunard of Dublin, OH and Douglas (Sarah) Shumway, Jr. of Ottawa; three great grandchildren, Trey and George Shumway and Amelia Kunard; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Harold Carl Leipold, Jr., Glenn Leipold, and Donald Leipold, Sr.
Pallbearers will be Douglas Shumway, Jr., Douglas “Trey” Shumway III, George Shumway, James Kunard, Jr., Donald Leipold, Jr., and Rodney Morello.
He was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.