PEKIN ~ Lawrence Leitner, 87, of Pekin, passed away at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Pekin Hospital.

Born May 5, 1925 in Peoria County to Frank "Rusty" and Nellie (Whites) Leitner, he married Una Mae English on May 1, 1952 in Bloomington.  She survives.

Also surviving are his step-son, Edward (Melody) Albrecht of Redlands, CA; twin granddaughters, Allison (Timothy) Arney of Surprise, AZ and Heather Albrecht of El Centro, CA; two sisters, Patricia (Larry) Guppy and Joyce Bouchez, both of Bartonville and one brother, Owen (Carrie) Leitner of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

Lawrence was a truck driver for 40 years, retiring from Bosch Trucking in Bartonville.  He then taught truck driving at Illinois Central College after retirement.

Lawrence was a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 181 sponsored by First United Methodist Church in Pekin.

He loved baking pies, telling stories and dinner theaters.  He also enjoyed square dancing and camping.

He was a member of Peoria Seventh-day Adventist Church.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  The Rev. Clarence Small will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Peoria Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4019 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614-7407.