Lawrence J. Boyd of Benton

Lawrence J. Boyd, 78, of Benton, passed away at 9:20 a.m., on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at his residence and surrounded by his family.

He was born on Aug. 4, 1938, to John and Kathrine (Shumaker) Boyd in Larimore, North Dakota. On May 17, 1975, at St. Matthias Catholic Church, Chicago, IL., he married the former Delores Leonard.

Mr. Boyd was a United States Army veteran.

Lawrence retired as a letter carrier from the United States Postal Service. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and was a former member of the Kiwanis Club. Lawrence enjoyed bowling and fishing.

Lawrence is survived by his loving spouse of 42 years, Delores Boyd; loving sons, Charles Leonard and wife, Camey, of Trevor, Wisconsin, Joseph Leonard and wife, Genny, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, David Leonard and wife, Sandra, of Plover, Wisconsin, Steven Boyd and wife, Julieta, of Zion, Illinois and Michael Boyd and companion, Christina Shumaker, of Farmersville, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; a sister, Alice Thacker of Hot Springs, Arkansas and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Elby Boyd.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton, IL, with Fr. Urban Osuji officiating.

Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.</group><group id="9222107C-14A1-475C-8775-6B9BDE640C3D" type="seoLabels"><seoLabels>