Leon Lavern Longshore
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Leon Lavern Longshore, 68, of Du Quoin, passed away at 5:20 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.
Leon had been a 7th grade math instructor from 1968 until he became Principal at J.B. Ward School in Du Quoin for six years, from 1988 until 1994. Leon then taught math until his retirement in 2001. He was a Du Quoin High School graduate. He had earned his Bachelor's Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and his Master's Degree from University of Illinois. While he attended SIU, he served as a dispatcher for District 13 State Police. Leon had played football, basketball and track. In 1960, he was Elks Athlete of the Year. He loved all sports, woodworking, and playing pool. He would have his teacher friends come over to play pool. Leon also enjoyed bird watching. He enjoyed the kids at school and liked to see the lights turn on in his students. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Du Quoin and the Du Quoin Elks Lodge.
He was born June 28, 1941 at Du Quoin, Ill., the son of Noah G. and Georgia M. (Wright) Longshore.
He married Carolyn Kay "C.K." West on April 15, 1961 at Paradise Baptist Church in Tamaroa, Ill. and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, one brother - Milton S. Longshore of Alpha, Ill., one grandson - Jon Fish and wife Jessica of Alton, Ill., one granddaughter - Elizabeth Fish of St. Charles, Mo., four great grandchildren - Jonathan P. Fish II, Kenlee G. Fish, Kayden Fish and Kyran Fish, three sisters-in-law - Jill Lawrence and husband George of Freeburg, Ill., Pat Longshore of St. Louis, Mo., and Lily Longshore of Mt. Erie, Md., nieces and nephews - Mandy Cockrell and husband Rod of New Athens, Ronald Longshore and wife Chris of Andover, Ill., Robert Longshore of Appleton, WI, Jamie Sauerburger and husband David of St. Louis, Mo., Mel Smigelski and wife Beverly of Mohomet, Ill., Lani Longshore and Stuart Brown of Livermore, Calif., and Glenn Longshore and wife Judy of Frederick, Md., and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter - Lisa Kay Longshore Fish, one grandson - Connor E. Fish, and two brothers - David F. Longshore and George A. Longshore and one brother in infancy - Noah James Longshore.
Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 19, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Du Quoin with Rev. Tim Scroggins officiating.
Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin and from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday.
Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to Leon Longshore Family Memorial Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.